The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, has urged the Nigerian government to prioritize human development to address some health challenges.
Dr Lu Wei Pearson, Associate Director, Maternal and Newborn Child Health, UNICEF, made the call during a visit to some adolescent health programme centres supported by UNICEF in Lagos, Nigeria.
The centres visited included, Hello Lagos Adolescent and Youth Friendly Centre at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Iwaya Primary Health Centre Yaba, Lagos Mainland LGA and Atan Street Empire Agege Motor Road in some parts of Lagos.
” Nigeria is a country full of mineral and human resources, yet the country is far behind in human development, adding that, Nigeria has one of the highest rates of child mortality, maternal mortality, malnutrition and other health issues ” Dr Pearson
” Young people and the social media influencers need to speak up to change the narrative and hold government at all levels accountable as well as health institutions “. He said
The Health Specialist, UNICEF Nigeria, Dr Victoria Isiramen, emphasized the need for young people to frequently engage on topical health issues that affect them.
” The HIV specialist says that apart from sexual reproductive health, young people are confronted with other issues that should be tackled ” Isiramen
Dr Ijeoma Agbo, a Health Specialist, UNICEF Nigeria, said the reason for the visit to Iwaya Health Centre in Yaba was to assess the services provided to children and women.
” Establishing functional PHCs across Wards to create more access to health services is imperative to catch those at the grassroots and reduce challenges of going distances to get services “. Dr Agbo
Dr Egemba Chinonso, a social media influencer popularly know as ‘Aproko Doctor’ said adolescents should be given a voice to air their concerns on health issues and commended UNICEF for engaging young people through their programmes.
” The initiative is a welcome development from UNICEF in educating young people on topical health issues that will be of benefit to them “. Dr Chinonso
A reality T.V star, Bamike Olawumi, popularly known as Bambam, said the visit had given young people the opportunity to be educated on general reproductive health and well-being.
” There is the need for more advocacy to proffer solutions to challenges that affect young people in Nigeria “.
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