By:Aisha Mohammed
Adolescent pregnancy has, over the years, caused serious consequences for healthcare, education, economic opportunities and social protection.
It is against this backdrop that public health experts are demanding medical attention to prevent adolescent pregnancy, due to the complications and consequences surrounding it.
The UNICEF Health Officer, Oluseyi Olosunde, said strengthening the capacity of healthcare workers and stronger involvement of community leaders and other gatekeepers will go a long way in promoting adolescent health.
He noted that knowledge acquired through training, effective practice and practical simulation-based training introduced in some facilities helps health workers demonstrate and improve their skills in this regard.
“A Woman surviving pregnancy is important but surviving without preventable injury, disability, trauma or disrespect is equally important”. Said Olusunde.
Olosunde emphasized that the initiative is also an ongoing effort to improve adolescents’ and young people’s access to healthcare services under the EU-SARAH project, implemented with the support of UNICEF and UNFPA.
He noted that improving confidentiality and creating safe, adolescent-friendly spaces will enable young people to access reproductive health information, counselling and appropriate medical care without fear of stigma or embarrassment.
Olosunde said the need for an adolescent-friendly environment cannot be overemphasized, as it will give them the opportunity to obtain professional guidance without feeling exposed or judged.
On his part, the Executive Chairman of the Adamawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Suleiman Bashir, described the media as a critical tool for strengthening information dissemination on maternal and child health, as well as maternal mortality in the state.
The Executive Chairman said collaborative efforts between the government and partners had contributed to facility upgrades, better infrastructure, improved referral systems and increased utilization of healthcare facilities.
The one-day media engagement was organized by the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, in collaboration with the Adamawa State Government under the European Union Strengthening Access to Reproductive and Adolescent Health, EU-SARAH programme, being implemented in Adamawa State.
