A360 Nigeria reposted this
At the media briefing to mark the 2025 International Adolescent Health Week (IAHW), Society for Family Health Nigeria commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare Nigeria and partners for their efforts in advancing adolescent health and well-being across Nigeria. Jennifer Adebambo, who represented SFH Managing Director, reaffirmed SFH commitment to empowering young people through initiatives like the A360 Nigeria Project, which in the last few years has reached over one million adolescent girls aged 15-19 with family planning services, supported over 175,000 with antenatal care and skilled deliveries, and economically empowered more than 500,000 through vocational and life skills training. She further urged the ministry to continue to boldly recognise the unique vulnerabilities faced by adolescent girls in Nigeria and champion the inclusion of their health and well-being into targeted health programmes, especially within the framework of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) being implemented across states. She also encouraged young people to remain active voices for their physical and mental well-being. In his address, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, represented by Mrs Tetshoma Dafeta, Director of Human Resources, emphasised that adolescents make up 23% of Nigeria’s population and are key to the nation’s progress. He called for a holistic approach that nurtures both the physical and mental well-being of young people, stressing the need for supportive environments, access to nutritious food, mental health services, and inclusion of adolescents’ voices in policy decisions. The minister urged stakeholders and legislators to prioritise adolescent health through coordinated, multi-sectoral efforts and budgetary commitments, affirming that investing in adolescents today is an investment in a healthier, more resilient Nigeria tomorrow. Miss Bassey Peculiar, representing the adolescents, called for collective action to improve youth well-being. She urged the government to make physical and mental healthcare more accessible, encouraged teachers to pay attention to students with health needs, appealed to communities to listen to young people without judgement, and commended NGOs, urging them to sustain their ongoing efforts in supporting adolescent health and development. In attendance were representatives of the Federal Ministry Of Education, Nigeria, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), stakeholders including SFH, World Health Organization, UNICEF, Girl Effect, ARFH Nigeria, members of the press, among others. #adolescent #IAHW2025
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