Create Budget Line to Protect Adolescent Health as Bauchi Records Surge in Teen Pregnancy, Home Deliveries

By Uzairu Dauda Bunga:

The United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF Bauchi Field Office has reiterated its commitment to supporting governments at all levels in improving the welfare and well-being of children and adolescents in Nigeria.

This assurance was given by the Chief of Field Office, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, represented by the Health Officer, Dr. Oluseyi Olosunde, during a media dialogue on improving Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health, held in Azare, the project supported by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) through UNICEF.

Dr. Rafique expressed concern over rising adolescent pregnancy rates, revealing that according to National Demographic Health Survey NDHS, two out of every four adolescent girls become pregnant before the appropriate age, while three out of ten women in Bauchi State deliver at home, exposing mothers and babies to preventable risks, including maternal mortality and child morbidity.

She urged governments to design policies and programs that empower girls and women and promote safer reproductive health practices.

Representing the Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Board, Gender Focal Officer Hajiya Amina Balali noted that the engagement with the media would strengthen efforts to improve adolescent health and nutrition across the state.

During his presentation on adolescent development, Dr. Olosunde highlighted adolescence as a stage marked by rapid physical, cognitive, emotional, and social changes, emphasized that lifelong health habits positive or harmful often begin during this period, stressing that early interventions can prevent adult illnesses and premature deaths.

He added that investing in adolescents yields long-term social and economic benefits, as they represent the nation’s future leaders, workforce, and caregivers.

Dr. Olosunde called for greater government attention to adolescent sexual and reproductive health, mental health, nutrition, substance abuse, and the prevention of communicable and non-communicable diseases.

He advised parents to strengthen communication with their adolescent children and ensure they have access to nutritious food, noting that healthy, educated, and empowered adolescents are vital to national and global development.

Presenting an overview of adolescent health in Bauchi State, Hajiya Amina Balali expressed concern about limited access to nutrition services and the persistence of home deliveries in rural communities.

She disclosed that the state government has introduced routine HPV vaccination and integrated Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) into antenatal care to improve the health of adolescent girls.

Hajiya Balali urged governments to establish dedicated budget lines for adolescent health for more sustainable results.

In another presentation, Dr. Olosunde highlighted child mortality rates, explaining that while global standards recommend no more than 25 deaths per 1,000 children across the world, available NDHS data shows that 5 out of 1,000 children in Bauchi die before their fifth birthday.

He described the GAC-supported project as a comprehensive effort to improve adolescent and maternal welfare through quality, gender-responsive reproductive health and nutrition services.

He said the five-year project 2024–2028 targets adolescents, young people, and women of reproductive age across Bauchi, Kaduna, and Kebbi States, leveraging primary and secondary health facilities, as well as community and household platforms.

Dr. Olosunde emphasized that adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services must be confidential, respectful, non-judgmental, affordable, and accessible.

He identified several barriers limiting adolescents’ access to care, including poor knowledge, cultural and religious norms, stigma, shyness, financial constraints, and parental influence.

The UNICEF Health officer, called for strengthened systems and community awareness to ensure adolescents receive the quality healthcare they deserve.