The Johns Hopkins Program for International Education in Gynecology and Obstetrics, on Monday handed over six youth and adolescent-friendly centres to primary healthcare facilities in three local government areas of Gombe State.
The centres, designed to provide confidential and non-judgmental health services to young people aged 10 to 24, were handed over during a ceremony held at the Town Maternity, popularly known as Gidan Magani, Tudun Wada, Gombe Local Government Area.
Our correspondent reports that Jhpiego SRHR&CD project established the centre with funding from Global Fund and National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme.
Speaking at the event, the State Team Lead of Jhpiego, Ibrahim Nenge, said six youth and adolescent-friendly centres had been established in Akko, Kaltungo and Gombe local government areas, with two centres allocated to each local government.
He said, “The initiative is part of Jhpiego’s adolescent health programme aimed at creating safe and attractive spaces where young people can access health information and services while also engaging in recreational and educational activities.”
The centres were equipped with recreational, sporting and educational materials, including table tennis boards, Ludo, chess, Ayo, Scrabble, footballs, skipping ropes, books and television sets.
Representing the Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Shuaibu Abdulrahman, Dr Maryam Abubakar of Community and Family Health expressed appreciation to Jhpiego and its partners for supporting the initiative.
She said the intervention went beyond the provision of equipment, describing the centres as safe spaces that would give young people hope and opportunities for a better future.
“We are not just handed over tables, chairs, games and books. We are handed over hope, safe space, and a future, for our young people across the LGAs of our dear state.
“On behalf of the Executive Secretary, I hereby formally accept the handover of the Youth Friendly Centre equipment and officially declare the Youth Friendly Centers across Gombe State LGAs open for services,” Abubakar said.
The ceremony also featured a demonstration of the recreational facilities, including a table tennis game, as well as an inspection of the indoor games and reading corners.
The Executive Director of Kishimi Shelter and Care Foundation, Grace Samuel, said the facilities would provide young people with opportunities to learn, interact and develop their physical and mental abilities.
“These centres you see today with the Table Tennis board outside where they will laugh and play, the ludo, chess, ayo, scrabble where they will build their minds, the Football and Skipping ropes where they will build their bodies, the Books and TV inside where they will build their future—these centres are the answer,” Samuel said.
Also speaking, the Technical Advisor, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Community Development, Jhpiego, Cornelius Nwodoh, charged healthcare workers to ensure that the facilities remained welcoming, confidential and accessible to young people.
“To our health workers, I charge you to maintain these items. Let this centre remain youth friendly in character and in attitude. Let your words be kind, your doors open, and your services confidential. That is the true meaning of a youth friendly centre,” Nwodoh said.
World Health Organisation, Clinton Health Access Initiative were among partners present.