Coordinating
Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate CON, has
advocated for full support of all Nigerians to ensure that adolescents do not
only survive but also thrive as their health and well-being will determine the
trajectory of our nation's progress.
Prof.
Pate, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom mni, made the appeal in his
speech at the 2024 National/International Adolescent Week Commemoration with
the theme “Thriving Not Surviving: Building Adolescents' Resilience” held in
Abuja.
He
explained that the health and resilience of adolescent is not just an
investment in their personal future but also an investment in the future of our
communities, economy and the entire
nation, pointing out that this year's theme, “Building Adolescents' Resilience”
could not be more timely or relevant.
Our role, as policymakers, health practitioners, educators and community
leaders, is to create environments that nurture resilience by providing
adolescents with access to comprehensive healthcare, mental health support,
quality education and safe spaces by ensuring they have the tools, knowledge
and support they need, to not survive but thrive.”
While
highlighting the commitments of the Federal Ministry of Health towards
strengthening adolescent health systems across the country, the Coordinating
Minister affirmed that intensifying efforts to integrate adolescent-specific
services into Primary healthcare through initiatives will promote male child
inclusion to earn their understanding and support.
To
this end, he affirmed that, “The Ministry is working tirelessly to improving
adolescent nutrition, combat gender -based violence and ensuring young people
have the required informed decisions about their health and future”.
Speaking
on health issues affecting adolescent and efforts of the Ministry to combat
them, Prof. Pate explained that one of the most pressing issues facing our
adolescents today is mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety etc, which are on the rise, with many
young people suffering in silence due to stigma, lack of awareness and
insufficient access to care.
The Ministry, according to the Coordinating Minister, is committed to breaking this silence and to address these issues, emphasizing that it has established the National Mental Health programme, which is saddled to roll out policies to raise awareness about mental health, reduce stigma and provide adolescents with support and care they need. “Mental health must be treated with the same urgency and importance as physical health,”he added.
Citing
other measures proffered to improve the health of adolescent, the Minister
asserted that, “the Ministry has embraced the Sector-Wide Approach Program (SWAp)
and National Health Sector Investment Initiative (NHSII) to ensure no one is
left behind. Structurally, the Ministry has an Adolescent and School Health
Branch (ASH) to drive Adolescent and school health programmes. Some of the
programmes are Sexual Reproductive Health Right (SRHR), Adolescent and Youth
Friendly Health Services (AYFHS), and West and Central Africa (WCA) Commitment
Adolescent Girls Initiative and Learning Education (AGILE). All these have been
mainstreamed into the policies-The Adolescent Development Health-related
policies.”
While
appreciating the contribution of stakeholders such as WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, AHBN,
SFH, Girl Effect, TCI, for their technical and financial support, Prof. Pate
described Adolescent as active agents of change, adding that they can be
incredible drivers of innovation, leadership and progress when empowered,
supported and equipped.
In
her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, FMOH&SW Daju Kachollom mni,
represented by the Director, Family Health, Dr. Binyerem Ukaire, stated that
adolescence is a formative period and the health choices made during the period
impact the entire life course of an individual.
She
pointed out that commemoration of Adolescent health week is not just symbolic
but a collective responsibility to empower adolescent, saying “Adolescence is a
formative period and health choices made during these years can impact an
individual's life course. This is why this commemoration is not just symbolic
-it serves as a reminder of our collective responsibility to protect, nurture
and empower our adolescents. The
Ministry remains committed to the health and wellbeing of all Nigeria in
particular our young people”.
To
this end, the Permanent Secretary urged the health workers, policy makers,
educators, parents, the media among others to work together for a future where
every adolescent can thrive; noting the importance of ensuring that the young
are not just navigating through life but are equipped with the skills,
resources and support systems needed to contribute meaningfully to the society.
Mr. Alaba Balogun
Deputy
Director (Press & PR)
11/10/2024.