Commissioner commits to improved child health policies

 Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, the Rivers State Commissioner for Health, has reaffirmed her commitment to enhancing the health and well-being of school-aged children.

This commitment is demonstrated through the Protect Urban School Children’s Health (PUSH) Project, an initiative developed in collaboration with the Health Policy Research Group of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Oreh told News Men on Saturday in Abuja, that the project aimed to evaluate and improve existing child health policies for children aged five years to 17 years.

According to her, while current policies stress the importance of linking schools with primary healthcare systems, the reality on paints a different picture.

“Many schools remain underserved, with serious consequences for children’s health.

“At the recent National Policy Dialogue, I presented findings from extensive research which revealed significant gaps in the implementation of school health services, despite clear policy provisions.

“The research identified several critical issues, like Inadequate fulfilment of primary healthcare responsibilities to schools, limiting access to adolescent-friendly services.

“Economic and human resource barriers are hindering effective health service delivery in schools.

“There are also leadership and funding gaps within the National School Health Policy, which have contributed to unsafe school environments, unaddressed child abuse and increased reliance on informal healthcare providers,” she said.

The commissioner stressed the urgent need for collaboration to bridge the gap between primary healthcare centres and urban schools, especially for Nigeria’s estimated 65 million children.

She said that the policy dialogue convened stakeholders from across sectors, including religious leaders, representatives of the Children’s Parliament, academics, and policymakers in health, education, social welfare, and justice.

According to her, the PUSH initiative aims to systematically transform child healthcare delivery in Rivers State, ensuring that children receive the support and services necessary to thrive.

“My leadership and passion for child health are a step towards securing a healthier future for the youth of Rivers State,” she added.