Health

Stakeholders reaffirm commitment to adolescent health programmes

Published

2 years ago

September 21, 2024

Stakeholders in Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) have reaffirmed their commitment to expand adolescent health programmes as part of a broader development agenda.

The commitment was made in a communiqué issued at the end of the two-day A360 Nigeria Annual National Pause and Reflect Summit on reproductive and sexual health for adolescents, held in Lagos from 18 to 19 September.

The report have it that, that A360 Nigeria aims to address barriers to accessing and using modern contraceptives and improve adolescent sexual and reproductive health..

The communiqué, signed by 18 stakeholders from the public and private sectors, traditional and religious leaders, and development partners, outlined plans to implement a multi-sectoral approach to delivering ASRH programmes.

According to him, expanding adolescent health programmes involves implementing a multi-sectoral approach to scale and deliver Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) programmes.

“This includes layering economic empowerment initiatives and second-chance schools to cater to the holistic needs of adolescent girls.

“Other commitments include meaningfully engaging and including young people and adolescents in programmes and government accountability platforms, such as technical working groups and implementation platforms.

“Domesticate the National Family Planning Procurement Guidelines at state level and explore alternative funding sources, including the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, Health Insurance, and Health Investment Funds, to mobilise resources for adolescent health and development programmes.

“This will ensure sufficient financing for these initiatives.

“Additionally, tackle cultural and religious barriers to Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) interventions by engaging influential community and religious leaders.
“These leaders should serve as frontline advocates and integral components of ASRH programme structures, helping to promote awareness and acceptance,” he said.

Stakeholders emphasised the importance of adopting national policies and implementing state-specific frameworks to enhance data reporting and management for Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) programming.

They also stressed the need for sustained efforts to scale up adolescent development initiatives and girls’ education.

The participants acknowledged significant progress in advancing the Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) agenda, thanks to A360’s high-impact solutions.

However, they noted that recurring challenges, such as inadequate funding for Reproductive Health/ASRH activities, stock-outs of essential commodities, and ineffective data management, threaten to undermine this progress.

“Additional obstacles include socio-cultural norms and the need for multi-stakeholder collaboration to deliver ASRH programs effectively.

“To address these challenges, urgent action, political will, and commitment from decision-makers, political actors, implementing partners, and community leaders are crucial.
“This collective effort is necessary to drive the ASRH agenda forward.”

NAN reports that in Nigeria, A360 collaborates with young people and government health systems to improve access to modern contraception for adolescent girls.

It supports the Federal Government’s goal of achieving a 27 per cent Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) by 2030.

The project is currently implemented in four states – Kano, Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Jigawa – through the Matasa Matan Arewa (MMA) Programme.

Notably, A360 is supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) in Nigeria, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Kenya
NAN

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Health

Many Nigerian Talents Wasted Due to Mental Health Challenges — Everight Diagnostic and Laboratory Services Boss

Published

6 days ago

May 1, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Everight Diagnostic and Laboratory Services, Dr. Everest Okpara, has expressed concern over the number of talented Nigerian athletes whose careers are cut short due to poor mental health support and inadequate medical care.

Dr. Okpara spoke on Thursday in Abuja during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the All Federal Capital Territory Sports Associations (AFSA) and Everight Diagnostic and Laboratory Services.

The event was attended by representatives of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, officials of various FCT sports associations, and other stakeholders.

He noted that Nigeria continues to lose promising athletes not because of lack of talent, but due to weak healthcare systems, especially in the area of mental health and early diagnosis.

“Our athletes face a lot. Some have underlying health conditions that go undetected. If diagnosed early, many of these challenges could be managed or prevented,” he said.

Dr. Okpara stressed that leading sporting nations invest heavily in preventive healthcare and performance science, a model Nigeria must adopt to remain competitive.

“Across the world, top sporting countries prioritize preventive healthcare. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, many gifted athletes fall short of their potential due to poor mental health conditions and lack of access to proper care,” he added.

He explained that the partnership with AFSA is aimed at reversing this trend by providing athletes with access to quality healthcare services, including mental health support, early diagnosis, and continuous medical monitoring.

According to him, the collaboration will create a sustainable pathway for athletes in the FCT and beyond to improve both their physical and psychological wellbeing, ultimately enhancing performance and career longevity.

“This initiative marks a turning point in Nigeria’s sports development. It is about building a healthier sports ecosystem where athletes can thrive and compete globally,” he said.

Also speaking, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, who was represented by Hon. Albert Atsonka commended Everight Diagnostic for its vision and commitment to national development.

Atsonka described the facility as a centre of excellence, noting that investments in such healthcare infrastructure would significantly reduce medical tourism and strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.

He said the MoU represents a strategic step toward improving athlete welfare and advancing sports development in the Federal Capital Territory.

“This partnership goes beyond business; it is a contribution to national growth. Everight’s name will be remembered in the history of sports development in the FCT,” he said, while also appreciating stakeholders like Mr. Clinton Agbor for their dedication to sports development.

In his remarks, the Director General of AFSA, Mr. Clinton Agbor, described the partnership as timely and crucial, especially in addressing issues such as doping, poor medical records, and inadequate athlete preparation.

He noted that AFSA, which oversees 48 sporting associations, is focused on grassroots development and believes early medical screening is essential for nurturing young talents.

“We must start from the grassroots. Athletes with proper medical history and care perform better. Many opportunities are lost due to failed medical tests, especially for players seeking contracts abroad,” he said.

Agbo added that the partnership would also provide subsidized healthcare services for athletes, sports officials, and journalists, while promoting education on health and fitness.

He revealed that the agreement, expected to last for an initial three years, would focus on comprehensive healthcare delivery, anti-doping awareness, and long-term athlete development.

The MoU signals a renewed commitment to integrating healthcare into sports development, with a strong focus on prevention, performance, and longevity—key factors needed to reposition Nigeria as a competitive force in global sports.

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