Anambra state government has inaugurated the state Technical Working Group For Adolescent Health and Development.
Inaugurating the group at the Jerome Udoji state Secretariat, the commissioner for health Dr Afam Obidike described youths as those at the front burner of addressing the ills of the society in achieving the development of the country.
The technical working group resident in the ministry of health is an inter ministerial committee that seeks to identify and ensure implementation of mapped out programs targeted towards ensuring compliance to youth challenges which includes substance abuse, Rape, cultism and unsafe abortion.
Dr Obidike informed that the state government is making plans to build a modern rehabilitation center for people with problems of substance abuse in the state.
The inauguration brought to an end the 5day meeting on drawing out the work plan for the technical working group held at Geogold hotels Awka.
Members of the group were drawn from ministries and agencies. civil society, media, academia and youth led organizations.
Earlier in her opening remarks, the Team leader of the Adolescent and School Health from the federal ministry of health Abuja, Mrs joy kalu who facilitated the meeting outlined some of the challenges associated with the youths in the State which include but not limited to cultism, Rape, unsafe abortion, substance abuse etc.
She called on stakeholders to concentrate on finding a lasting solution to them as the youths are the future of the country.
Also speaking, the World Health Organization Coordinator in the state Dr Abdulnasir Adamu pledged for continuous technical and financial support for the Adolescent health programs in the state.
The inauguration came to an end with a vote of thanks from the Desk officer Adolescent health in the state, Mrs Ngozi Eke.
RPT/Amaka.
