Kwara govt commissions HIV/AIDS youth-friendly centre

The Kwara state government has commissioned the Adolescents and Youth Friendly Centre (AYFC), donated by the state’s global health partners on HIV/AIDS, the CCCRN and USAID.

The facility, located at the Children Specialist Hospital, Centre Igboro, Ilorin, was built to nurture a safe space where adolescents and youth can access comprehensive healthcare, education, and support in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Speaking at the event, the state’s deputy governor, Mr Kayode Alabi, while commissioning the facility, said that having the centre was a commendable effort by the implementing partners towards supporting the efforts of the state government on health development.

He said HIV/AIDS was not a death sentence compared to other terminal illnesses, adding that a zero percentage was achievable in Kwara State.

Also speaking, the chairman of the House Committee on Health and Environment, Mr Rasaq Owolabi, assured the support of the legislature for the fight against HIV/AIDS and the development of adolescents and youths in the state.

The lawmaker said that 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 the young people were highly vulnerable and manipulated to engage in social vices.

She said though HIV/AIDS has been reduced to the barest minimum of one per cent in the state, zero per cent is still achievable in the state.

Dr El-Imam said a multi-stakeholder approach was needed to ensure this as well as reduce gender-based violence in the state.

Executive Secretary of KWASACA, Dr Seleem Alabi, said the AYFC was proof of the output of collaborative efforts between a working government and implementing partners on getting things right.

Dr Alabi said the centre was an important and strategic contribution to KWASACA’s response to the youth and adolescents in the state.

The State Team Lead of the Centre for Clinical Care and Clinical Research (CCCRN), Mrs Nike Kehinde, commended the state government for providing an enabling environment for them to thrive.

She said she was glad that the state’s sustainability plan will be signed very soon, which means the state is ready to move on without the implementing partners.

Mrs Kehinde solicited more support, as they still have a long way to go.

The AYFC consists of the confidentiality room, where tests are conducted and results are given, game centres, consultant offices, and the reception.

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