By Ijeoma Ukazu –
Worried by the high rate of unsafe abortion, teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, sexually transmitted infection among teens between 13 to 19 years, a team of experts are advocating for early and proper health education for teens in order to curb these menace.
Addressing participants at the maiden edition of Teen Health Conference held at the African Church Model College, Ifako-Ijaiye, Lagos, with the theme: “Teach them, Save them”, the convener of the conference, Dr Ronald Ikpe said the aim is to target teenagers aged between 13 to 19 years.
Dr Ikpe said during his opening remark that “the conference is an initiative of MRI Medic Consulting Limited, a health consulting outfit made up of a team of doctors who sought to curb the menace of teenage pregnancy, abortion, drug abuse, sexually transmitted infections, basic first aid and fire safety as well as guiding these teenagers with the right information.
He added that the event which was organized by MRI Medic Consulting Limited with support from Doctorsquarters.com (media partner), Healtharmyng, Arrive alive diagnostics, Genuine Health Africa, Nurse Aid, and Development Communications Network (DEVCOMMS) amonst others.
Speaking at the conference, Dr. Abimbola Adenuga spoke on sexuality education as she highlighted the changes that occur during puberty in both boys and girls.
Adenuga said in clear terms that these changes are perfectly normal as she emphasized on how to control the emotions that happen during this period
The president Sickle Cell Aid Foundation (SCAF), Lagos Mr Okechukwu Oleka lectured the teenagers on sickle cell disease, how to help sicklers in crisis, the features as well as trigger factors of a sickle cell crises and most importantly the need to know their genotypes.
Giving her talk on teenage pregnancy and abortion, Dr Ihunna Apakama said there are high complications from teenage pregnancy and abortion which includes; dropping out of school, infertility, damaged cervix, and even death amongst others.
She however advised the teenagers on how to avoid teenage pregnancy and ultimately abortion and rather focus on becoming great leaders of tomorrow.
Dr Folakemi Cole-Adeife, the founder of Ayuna Group and also a senior registrar in Dermato-venerology in Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, (LASUTH) lectured the teenagers on the importance of skin care and personal hygiene.
She revealed tips on how to maintain a healthy skin and how to avoid conditions like body odour and halitosis, adding that they should endeavor to look clean always as smelling good also boosts personal confidence.
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