Kwara Opens Six Youth-Friendly Health Centres for Adolescents
Kwara State has commissioned six new youth-friendly health centres to improve access to confidential, respectful, and adolescent-responsive healthcare for young people.
The centres are in Offa, Asa and Moro Local Government Areas and are designed to give adolescents a safe and welcoming environment to seek health information and professional support without fear of stigma or judgment.
Where Are the Six Centres Located?
The newly commissioned centres are at:
- Ojomu Primary Health Centre, Offa LGA
- Lamodi Comprehensive Health Centre, Offa LGA
- Nawairudeen District Health Centre, Offa LGA
- Ogele Primary Health Centre, Asa LGA
- Otte Primary Healthcare Centre, Asa LGA
- Olorun Primary Health Centre, Moro LGA
The intervention is supported by The Global Fund and implemented by Jhpiego under the Advancing Integrated Health Services Delivery for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Communicable Diseases Project.
Why the Centres Matter
According to Prof. Nusirat Elelu, Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency, adolescents have historically received less attention in healthcare programmes compared with women and children.
“This is going to be a safe haven for young people.”
The centres will have trained healthcare personnel who can provide young people with appropriate health information and support while promoting respectful and patient-centred care. The wider project covers areas including adolescent health, sexual and reproductive health, HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and sexually transmitted infections.
What This Means for Young People
The initiative could make it easier for adolescents to seek professional healthcare, accurate information, and guidance when they need it. Earlier reporting on the project noted that stigma and fear of judgment can discourage vulnerable groups, including adolescents, from accessing healthcare.
The opening of these six youth-friendly health centres in Kwara represents another step towards making healthcare more accessible and responsive to young people. Continued funding, community awareness and expansion to more LGAs will be important to ensure that more adolescents benefit.
