Stakeholders seek better adolescent health care in Osun
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –
Stakeholders in Osun State have called for improved healthcare services for adolescents to support their development and well-being.
The call was made on Tuesday in Osogbo during the quarterly meeting of the Adolescent & Youth Health and Development Technical Working Group (AYHD TWG), where participants emphasized the need for greater involvement of civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations, and international donors.
The Adolescent Health Desk Officer at the Osun Primary Healthcare Board, Mrs. Roseline Akinlabi, said the meeting was convened to engage stakeholders on issues affecting adolescents and to find lasting solutions.
She explained that the transitional age of 10 to 19 years leaves many adolescents unaware of their rights, particularly regarding sexual and reproductive health. “This is a stage when young girls may become confused about their sexual healthcare, and if they are not guided, they can fall victim to unwanted pregnancies at an early age. The need for stakeholders to address youth and adolescent development is paramount, which is what necessitated this meeting,” she added.
Also speaking, adolescent advocate and member of the working group, Mrs. Busari Rabiyat, called for collective efforts to eliminate the stigmatisation of adolescents.
She also advocated for the integration of digital literacy into school curricula and the strengthening of youth-friendly services to ensure confidentiality and ease of access.
Mr. Olatunbosun Olabomi, Coordinator of One House Development Initiative, emphasized the need to equip adolescents with the right information to help them make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.
The Director of Basic Education in the Ministry of Education, Mr. Oyetunji Mayowa, added that adolescent health should be a collective priority. He noted that the state government has been proactive in supporting young students in schools by educating them on health norms and their rights.
