Kwara Trains Health Workers in Youth-Centric Care

Strengthening Healthcare Services for Adolescents in Kwara State

The Kwara State Government has placed significant emphasis on improving adolescent and youth-friendly healthcare services, recognizing it as a critical strategy to foster better health-seeking behaviors among adolescent girls. This initiative is part of a broader effort to ensure that young people receive the support they need during a crucial phase of their development.

The initiative was highlighted at a three-day training session for adolescent desk officers in Primary Health Care (PHC) centers in Ilorin, the state capital. The event focused on enhancing the capacity of healthcare workers to provide more effective and tailored services to adolescents. The participating PHCs were those associated with 100 schools implementing the Life Skills program under the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project.

A Focus on Support and Guidance

Dr Lawal Olohungbebe, the State Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, reiterated the importance of this approach. His remarks were delivered by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Rebecca Bake Olanrewaju. She emphasized that adolescence is a transitional period from childhood to adulthood, where girls require guidance from counselors, health workers, and caregivers to make informed decisions and avoid potential pitfalls.

Mr Adeshina Salami, the State Project Coordinator for Kwara AGILE, praised Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his commitment to the education, healthcare, and overall development of adolescent girls. He noted that this support has been instrumental in advancing the objectives of the AGILE project.

Multi-Sectoral Approach to Adolescent Development

Mr Abraham Sunday, the Life Skills Lead from the National Project Coordinating Unit (NPCU) in Abuja, highlighted the multi-sectoral nature of the AGILE project. It spans various areas including education, health, communication, digital development, social protection, and environmental awareness. He stressed the need for healthcare providers to recognize the unique needs of adolescents and offer them dedicated, high-quality care.

He added that adolescents should feel valued and understood rather than judged. They seek relationships with healthcare providers based on trust rather than authority. This philosophy underpins the training organized to improve the quality of services provided to this age group.

Role of Healthcare Workers in Promoting Awareness

Madam Grace Jackson, the Guidance and Counselling (G&C) Lead from the NPCU, emphasized the vital role of healthcare workers in promoting health awareness and education. She advocated for continuous training and retraining to ensure these professionals remain updated with the latest knowledge and skills necessary to serve adolescents effectively.

Mrs Aminat Yusuf, the Life Skills Officer for Kwara AGILE, outlined the goals of the Life Skills sub-component of the project. She explained that it aims to enhance the mental capabilities of adolescent girls by equipping them with essential life skills such as negotiation, communication, goal-setting, climate awareness, and digital literacy.

Expert Facilitators and Participants

The training was facilitated by experienced professionals, including Dr Bilqis Alatishe-Muhammed, a Public Health Physician from the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), and Dr Oladimeji Buhari, an Adolescent Health Desk Officer from the Ministry of Health. The NPCU Leads also contributed to the sessions.

Participants included nurses and Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) from PHC centers across the 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state. Representatives from the Kwara State Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development were also present, including Mrs Bukola Olawoye, Mrs Eunice Abidoye, Mrs Olawumi Oludare, Alhaja Khadijat Lambe, and Mr Ola Hassan.

Positive Outcomes and Future Prospects

Participants expressed appreciation for the training and optimism about its impact on how they engage with adolescents seeking health services. The closing ceremony on Wednesday, July 30, featured the distribution of certificates to participants and the provision of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials to support the promotion of adolescent and youth-friendly services at their respective PHCs.

This initiative marks a significant step forward in addressing the unique health needs of adolescents in Kwara State, ensuring they receive the care and support necessary for a healthy transition into adulthood.