Kaduna State Government has equipped selected primary healthcare facilities with equipment and consumables to improve services for mothers, children and adolescents.
The intervention was supported by Global Affairs Canada (GAC), through the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The equipment includes motorbikes, orthopaedic chairs, public address systems, refrigerators, smart televisions, adult weighing scales, plastic chairs, blood pressure apparatus, among other essential items.
Speaking at the event in Kaduna, the Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, said the intervention demonstrated what could be achieved when government and development partners worked together towards a common goal.
Balarabe mentioned that government remained committed to ensuring quality healthcare regardless of age, gender, location or economic circumstances.
The Deputy Governor appreciated the Canadian Government through Global Affairs Canada, UNICEF and Gates Foundation for their continued partnership with the state.
She said adolescents and young people constituted an important segment of the population whose health needs should not be treated as an afterthought.
According to her, the establishment and equipping of safe spaces will provide adolescents with health information, counselling and services in supportive and non-judgmental environments.
She further stated that the initiative would empower young people to make informed decisions and adopt healthy behaviours that would contribute to their wellbeing.
Hadiza urged health workers to treat patients with dignity, compassion and professionalism, stressing that quality interaction was equally important.
She appealed to communities to support primary healthcare facilities and encourage pregnant women to attend antenatal care and deliver under skilled health professionals.
Earlier, the State Commissioner for Health, Hajiya Umma Ahmed, said the intervention represented another milestone in efforts to strengthen the health system.
“The transformation went beyond infrastructure improvement to ensuring that primary healthcare centres were functional, equipped and adequately staffed,” Hajiya said.
The Commissioner said adolescent health safe spaces would provide young people with health information, counselling and essential services in safe, confidential and youth-friendly environments.
She urged managers of beneficiary facilities to ensure proper utilisation of the equipment and commodities for their intended purposes.
