Plateau govt urges investment in adolescents’ health

The  Plateau State Government has called for massive in young residents, saying it is an investment in human capital.

 The Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Ba’amlong, who made the remark, insisted that the government must see such investment in young people as investment in human capital.

 Represented by the Director of Medical Services, Dr. Stephen Bishman, the commissioner said, “Young people should not be seen only as beneficiaries of development but as active contributors to nation-building.”

 Earlier, the Society for Adolescent and Young People’s Health in Nigeria had disclosed that Plateau State is to host the 2027 National Conference of the society.

 The society which made this known in Jos, on Tuesday, during the unveiling of the official logo for the conference with the theme: “Beyond 2030: Protecting Adolescent Health, Securing the Future,”

explained that the logo unveiling ceremony brought together health professionals, government officials, development partners, academics and young people.

 Speaking at the event, the President of SAYPHIN, Prof. Adesola Olumide, noted that the society, founded in 2016, was created to provide a platform for tackling challenges confronting adolescents and young people, who make up a large share of Nigeria’s population.

 She explained that while adolescents are generally seen as healthy, they are vulnerable to a range of health risks including communicable and non-communicable diseases, substance abuse, risky behaviours, mental health issues and dangers associated with the digital age.

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 Prof. Olumide said the newly unveiled logo, selected through a national competition limited to young people between ages 10 and 24, reflects SAYPHIN’s commitment to protecting the health and future of adolescents.

 “Adolescents are often regarded as healthy,but the truth is that  they remain vulnerable to communicable and non-communicable diseases, substance abuse, unsafe behaviours, mental health challenges and emerging digital-age risks.

 “Investments in adolescent health and development are essential for national stability and growth,” Prof. Olumide said

 On his part, the Chief Medical Director of Jos University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Pokop Bupwatda, commended SAYPHIN for sustaining advocacy on adolescent health and pledged the hospital’s support for the forthcoming conference.

 Dr. Bupwatda noted that contemporary pressures such as social media influence, artificial intelligence, and substance abuse pose new challenges to young people, which require deliberate national response.

 “We can not as a country fail to give recognition to the health of the young people because not doing so will be counterproductive to the health of the nation “,the CMD said.

 In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Prof. Moses Chingle, said the logo unveiling marks the beginning of activities leading to the 2027 conference, noting that the theme was chosen to draw attention to the need to sustain focus on adolescent health beyond 2030.