Coco-Bassey Esu|14 December 2016
After the successful unveiling of the Post Natal Ward of the General Hospital Calabar by the MTN Foundation a forthnight ago, the state Ministry of Health recorded another victory yet again as FHI360 unveils youth center in the same hospital.
"The Adolescent and Youth friendly center is designed to help the youths take timeout whenever they visit the hospital and have some recreational activity. There's also professionals on ground to counsel the youths whenever they visit the center" -Dr Henry Ayuk.
The state commissioner for health, Dr Inyang Asibong, expressed her delight over the development and added that it keeps getting better for the state. She appreciated the efforts of FHI360 to partner with the state Ministry of Health in bringing the initiative to the state and making them the first to have such facility in the country. She further thanked other partners who are working inline with the ministry to ensure a healthy Cross River State for all.
Dr Inyang said, "Thank you Family Health International (FHI360) under the leadership of Dr Henry Ayuk, Cross River State Program Manager, and other partners for always keying into our initiatives, with this Adolescent and youth friendly Health Services, being the first in the country, our Health system will continue to play a critical role in the early identification, management and monitor of Adolescents and Youth unhealthy habits and risky behaviors such as use of alcohol, drugs and tobacco products, unprotected sex, violence and hazardous driving. We have designed interventions with FHI360 and other professionals to ensure consent and confidentiality for adolescents and youth seeking care".
The center is fully air conditioned and very well equipped with a Television and Digital Satellite Dish with full subscription, a refrigerator, a generator set, a mini library, and recreational games like Scrabble, Snooker, Table Tennis, Chess, Ludo,etc
The Commissioner also took time to visit the VVF Center of the hospital where she also expressed satisfaction with the management of General Hospital, Calabar at the responses she received from the patients there.
Coco-Bassey Esu
Writes from Calabar
