Abuja: In a significant move to bolster healthcare access for young people in Kwara, the state government, in collaboration with JHPIEGO, has inaugurated six youth-friendly health centres. The initiative is further supported by the Integrated Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Communicable Diseases Project (iSRHR-CD), Global Fund, and the National AIDs, STIs and Hepatitis Control Programme (NASCP).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Prof. Nusirat Elelu, Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, emphasized the strategic placement of these centres across three Local Government Areas (LGAs) – Asa, Offa, and Moro. Elelu highlighted the centres’ role in enhancing healthcare accessibility for adolescents and young people, a demographic often overlooked in healthcare planning. The centres are designed to offer non-judgmental, confidential, and accessible health services, aligning with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s commitment to strengthening primary healthcare.
A significant portion of Kwara’s population consists of young people who often avoid traditional health facilities due to stigma and privacy concerns. The youth-friendly centres aim to address these issues by providing a secure and respectful environment for healthcare services. Elelu underscored the importance of investing in youth health as a means of securing a productive future for the state and urged young community members to utilize the facilities.
In his address, Mr. William Awotunde, JHPIEGO Project Director, described the centres as welcoming spaces for young individuals seeking information and services without fear of judgment. He expressed satisfaction in handing over the initiative to the Kwara government and its people, urging local communities to take ownership and maintain the centres. Awotunde envisioned these centres as safe spaces fostering trust, information, and access to quality health services.
Alhaji Shehu Yahaya, Chairman of Asa LGA, praised the state government and partners for targeting vulnerable groups, including women and People Living with HIV (PLHIV), through this initiative. The Are of Ogele, Alhaji Ishola Akanbi, expressed gratitude for the state government’s efforts and confirmed the community’s commitment to supporting such developmental initiatives. Akanbi pledged that the Ogele Community would make good use of the health centre.
The project aims to improve health outcomes by enhancing integrated, patient-centered services for sexual and reproductive health, maternal and newborn health, safe motherhood and prenatal care, family planning, and adolescent sexual and reproductive health, among others, particularly for vulnerable and underserved populations.