By The healthcare system in Adamawa State continues to face significant challenges, particularly affecting women and girls, prompting renewed collaboration between the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Adamawa State Government to improve maternal and adolescent health.
Health experts say factors such as long distances to health facilities, financial constraints, and poor awareness of danger signs during pregnancy contribute to the high rate of maternal mortality in many communities across the state.
In addition, harmful practices including child marriage, female genital mutilation, and gender-based violence continue to pose serious threats to the health and rights of women and girls.
A medical doctor at the Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital, Yola, Dr. Aisha Bakari, highlighted the serious health risks associated with early marriage and adolescent pregnancy.
According to her, complications such as obstructed labour, pre-eclampsia, and obstetric fistula are common among young mothers, stressing that education remains one of the most effective ways to address the problem.
She explained that educating girls helps them delay marriage, make informed health decisions and seek timely medical care when necessary.
Dr. Bakari also pointed to the “Three Delays Model”—delays in seeking care, reaching healthcare facilities, and receiving treatment—as a major factor responsible for many maternal health complications.
She called for collective action by government, healthcare providers, community leaders and families to tackle these challenges and protect the health of women and girls.
UNICEF, in partnership with the Adamawa State Government, is implementing programmes focused on raising awareness, improving access to healthcare services, and protecting the rights of women and girls across the state.
As part of the initiative, adolescent girls participated in activities marking International Women’s Day, where they highlighted some of the challenges affecting their health and wellbeing.
Health officials noted that existing government policies are designed to ensure equal access to healthcare for both boys and girls, while experts continue to emphasise the importance of comprehensive health education for adolescents.
The collaboration between UNICEF and the Adamawa State Government targets communities across the state’s 21 local government areas, with a focus on expanding awareness and improving access to essential healthcare services.
Participants at the International Women’s Day event, held under the theme “Rights, Justice and Action for All Women and Girls,” stressed the need for collective efforts to address healthcare challenges and promote the rights and wellbeing of women and girls.
They noted that empowering women and girls remains crucial to building healthier families and stronger communities.
The partnership between UNICEF and the Adamawa State Government is expected to further strengthen efforts toward building a more inclusive and rights-based healthcare system while improving maternal and adolescent health outcomes across the state.
