HFDI Executive Director Visits Youth-Friendly Centers in Offa to Strengthen Adolescent Health Services
The Executive Director of Hope for Family Development Initiative, HFDI, Dr. Ambassador Aremu Stephen Akinyele, has paid a courtesy visit to two youth-friendly centers in Offa, Kwara State, as part of efforts to strengthen access to quality, adolescent-responsive health information and services.
The visit covered the youth-friendly center at Igboro Primary Health Center, supported by JHPIEGO, and the center at Nawarudeen Primary Health Center, supported by UNICEF.
The engagement provided an opportunity to assess the facilities, appreciate the support provided by development partners, and underscore the importance of creating safe, welcoming, and supportive spaces for adolescents and young people.
The centers have been equipped with adolescent-friendly books, tables, games, and other essential materials, creating a more conducive environment for young people to access health information, learn, interact, and seek appropriate support.
The availability of adolescent-friendly resources is particularly important as young people often require accurate, accessible and age-appropriate information to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing. Well-equipped youth-friendly spaces can also encourage adolescents to engage more confidently with health providers and make appropriate use of available services.
During the visit, Dr. Ambassador Aremu Stephen Akinyele emphasized the importance of sustained investment in adolescent-friendly services and facilities, noting that creating supportive environments for young people is essential to promoting positive health-seeking behaviours and improving their overall wellbeing.
The visit further highlighted the value of collaboration between government, development partners, and civil society organizations in strengthening adolescent health interventions. Support from partners such as JHPIEGO and UNICEF demonstrates the impact that strategic investments can have in making health facilities more responsive to the needs of adolescents and young people.
HFDI said it remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote access to reliable health information, quality services, and safe spaces for adolescents and young people while strengthening partnerships that contribute to improved health outcomes across communities.