Doctor Benard Emonena, Adolescent and Youth Sexual Reproductive Health (AYSRH) Focal Person, The Challenge Initiative, TCI, says (AYSRH) services are readily available in Edo State, adding that state trained service providers are working round the clock to make sure such services are accessible and provided at no cost.
Dr. Emonena who disclosed this weekend in Benin at a Round Table Discussion meeting/training with media practitioners organised by the Edo State Ministry of Health in collaboration with the TCI, noted that the society cannot be shy away from the fact that youths and adolescents, whom according to him have the larger population, are sexually active hence they must be properly guided.
He noted that these categories of youths and adolescents have sexual needs, which according to him, if not properly guided and cared for, could mar their feature and truncate their goals.
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He added that AYRH services are safe and do not promote promiscuity as speculated and believed by some persons.
Dr Emonena who advised that fears, especially of infertility and specific needs should also be ward off, urged media practitioners to be more committed in propagating the “gospel of AYSRH in the state.”
While commending the media for the work done so far as regards AYSRH in the state, he empathised the for media practitioners to inculcate in their reportage the Reproductive Health gatekeepers, including parents, schools, traditional rulers while their supportive roles should equally be addressed.
“The onus is on the media to give us a clearer picture through proper information dissemination and adequate reportage. The media group is doing well, but more needs to be done,” he added.
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On his part, Mr Denyinye Hitlar, Health Educator/DG AYRH Focal Person, Edo State Ministry of Health, noted that AYRH services uptake prevents unwanted pregnancy and unexpected early marriage.
While urging youths and adolescents to take up AYRH services as “it enables such youths to achieve their future ambitions as well as resolving their unmet needs,” Mr Hitlar who happens to be one of the resource persons at the event added that the service also prevent abortion.
He listed AYRH services to include Life Planning (conceptive counselling and services), treatment and prevention of reproductive tract infections and STIs, menstrual complication care, AY pregnancy care, rape treatment/care, post abortion care, among others.
Another resource person at the event, Dr Bright Oniovokukor, Project Director, Indomitable Youth Organization said resources are needed to increase visibility on AYRH services as well as increase access in the state.
He listed space, speculative and data resources among resources needed to improve and scale up services as well as ensure continuation of service provision to support organisational sustainability.
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He said, “While knowledge and belief systems are barriers hindering demand for AYRH service uptake, advocates could deploy the theory of change in identifying the problem and indicators of change they are working to address, define their goals, identify opportunities to benefit target groups, set out assumptions and define how changing the system will create opportunities and define areas of intervention.”
In her earlier remark, Mrs Patricia Osazuwa, State RH Coordinator, also commended the media for the role played thus far and stated that the training is to further equip the group with needed resources for proper information dissemination and modalities with which to channel resources in addressing the issues of Youth and Adolescents Reproductive Health.