Kwara Government on Thursday inaugurated the Adolescents and Youth-Friendly Centre (AYFC)
located at the Children’s Specialist Hospital, Ilorin.
The Deputy Governor, Mr Kayode Alabi, while inaugurating the facility, said having the centre was a commendable efforts
by implementing partners towards supporting the state government on health development.
He said HIV/AIDS is not a death sentence compared to other terminal illnesses and that zero percentage is achievable in Kwara.
Mr Rasaq Owolabi, the Chairman, House of Assembly Committee on Health and Environment, assured the support of the legislature
in the fight against AIDS, and the development of adolescents and youths in the state.
Owolabi said he would push for more budgetary allocation for the Kwara State Agency for the Control of AIDS (KWASACA)
and the AYFC to function optimally.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam, said the establishment of the AYFC was commendable,
as young people are highly vulnerable and manipulated to engage in vices.
She said although HIV/AIDS cases had reduced to the barest minimum, it was possible to achieve zero cases through
multi stakeholder approach.
The Executive Secretary of KWASACA, Dr Salim Alabi, said “the AYFC is a proof of collaborative efforts between a working
government and implementing partners in getting things right.
“The centre is an important and strategic contribution to KWASACA’s response to Kwara youths and adolescents.”
Mrs Nike Kehinde, the State Team Lead of Centre for Clinical Care and Clinical Research (CCCRN), commended the
state government for providing an enabling environment for the centre to thrive.
She expressed happiness that the state’s Sustainability Plan will be signed soon, “which means the state is ready to move
on without implementing partners.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the centre was built by CCCRN and USAID as proof of
commitment to nurture safe space where adolescents and youths can access comprehensive healthcare,
education and support in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The AYFC consists of confidentiality room where tests are conducted and results given, game centres, consultant offices and a reception.(NAN). READ ALSO:
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