Health experts have called on the Nigerian government to prioritize the health of children and mothers.
The associate director, Maternal, Newborn Child Adolescent Health, United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), Dr. Lu Wei Pearson, who made the call during a two-day visit by officials of the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) to communities and adolescent health programme centers in Lagos, alluded that Nigeria possessed abundant resources, both in minerals and human capabilities, yet the nation lags significantly in terms of human development.
“Nigeria has one of the highest rates of child mortality, maternal mortality, malnutrition and other health issues. Young people and the social media influencers need to speak up to change the narrative and hold government at all levels accountable and health institutions,” she stated.
The government of Nigeria has ambitious plans, to provide primary healthcare and essential health services for every population, the associate director recalled, while assuring that UNICEF will support the government’s plans.
“Nigeria has a lot of challenges, which ranges from crowded living, poor water sanitation, among others. National, states and local governments must take responsibility, and wherever there is a gap or additional areas where UNICEF can support the government and the Civil Societies, we should do so. We are really here for Children, for Women and for their best interests,” Pearson added.
On her part, health specialist at UNICEF Nigeria, Dr. Victoria Isiramen, highlighted the importance of consistently involving young individuals in discussions concerning pertinent health matters that directly impact them.
Beyond sexual reproductive health, young people are grappling with a range of additional concerns that require attention, Isiramen said, adding that, “Sometimes when we sit down in conferences and talk about young people, what do they need? What should we do for them?. Most of the time when we talk about young people, we usually refer to sexual reproductive health which is very important but it is not comprehensive enough. Mental health, peer pressure, poor parental supports, financial pressure for girls, stressful environment among others also affect young people, going by what we have encountered with some of them we talked to.”
She disclosed that UNICEF, with its partners, embarked on the two-day medical outreach to Tolu Community in Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government, 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. “We used the two days outreach programme to hear from the youths, what they really want. We have also ensured that health workers at these centres are youth friendly who will help to engage young people and give them information on health services,” she added.
UNICEF regional HIV/AIDS specialist for West and Central Africa, Dr. Mireille Tribie, added her voice when she said, “Children are our future, and as they grow into adolescents, we need to make sure we continue to prepare them health wise and education wise, to become responsible adults because they are going to become the future politicians and governors, making decisions on behalf of the entire population.”
Tribie reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to ensuring that Children always have a voice in all contemporary issues. She believed that the 2023 National Conference on Adolescent Health offers a chance to directly listen to the thoughts of young people, which would be highly useful in determining ways to properly guard their all-round health.
“Being a part of this conference where the Young People are going to be telling us what we are doing right and what we are doing wrong, helps to ensure that our promise of helping them have good wellbeing and be able to be responsible, to take care of their lives in the future, and to become good parents is fulfilled. This has always been the role of UNICEF,” she added.
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