By: Theresa Moses
Global Health Advocate and influencer, Dr. Egemba Chinonso Fidelis, aka “Aproko Doctor,” was one of the dignitaries that graced UNICEF 2023 National Conference on Adolescent Health, with a promise to focus on healthcare-driven contents as it affects the youths.
Having listened to their thoughts, it presented a rare opportunity to guard their all-round health as well as encourage the adolescents to get involved in their own healthcare system.
In an exclusive chat with GATMASH NEWS during the outreach tour on Wednesday at the Yello Lagos Adolescent and Youth Friendly Centre, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, Dr. Egemba explained that the adolescent shouldn’t be taken for granted, with the assumption that they don’t have a say about their health.
“We’re here for the adolescents. They should get involved in their own healthcare,” he further stated.
Speaking to some of the adolescents that attended the programme, he disclosed that we’ve been able to learn a lot from them and really understood what their concerns are. Often times, usually, in this part of the world, when they’re interrogated, we assume they don’t have a voice. However, “When we see things from their own perspectives, we can best channel our responses to be able to fix them.”
Explaining further, Akporo Doctor emphasized, “For me, it was more of a learning process because I could see that they are quite involved in their healthcare. From questions shared, you could see topics ranging from sexual health to female genital mutilation, ulcers, hepatitis, and HIV. Interestingly, these are questions that we actually want to dominate conversations because the earlier they know about them, the better they can take care of themselves”.
“In Nigeria, the adolescents grapple with unique sets of fears that reflect the challenges and complexities of their environment.” To this end, Egemba promised to use his platform to create content on topics ranging from drug abuse to sexual health for the betterment of adolescents.
“Part of what my content will focus on is the adolescent age, especially making the right healthcare choices.
“For me, it’s beyond parenting. Parents should make sure that they are positive influencers/influences in the lives of their kids, especially at adolescent stage in life; by exposing them to positive influences.
“We’ve come to understand that a lot of them imbibe these negative habits of drug abuse from friends or negative influences in society. As parents, until we do our job of reducing such negative influence, we might not move even faster than them and dissuade them from such influences. To do that, parents can create a safe haven for their children to minimize chances of them picking up bad habits from friends such drug abuse”.
Topics ranging from drug abuse to sexual health and much more will be added to the conversation so that they can also gain more from it.
The tour was part of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) youth-focused awareness efforts in collaboration with the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency and the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) on community outreach programmes with the theme: ‘YAaHNaija’ as part of its ongoing active involvement in improving adolescent health and wellbeing.
Share your story or I Witness Reports with us 24/7 via: SMS/ Whatsapp: +234(0)8072022024, Email: [email protected], follow us on our social media platform: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook:@Gatmash and Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: Gatmash TV.
Gatmash News is one of the most sought- after news portals, with increasing audience, exclusive breaking news and reports across the globe. Plus more. Website: https://gatmash.com
For advert placement, contact us today via email: [email protected] or call our hotlines on Tel: +234(0)8072022024
