The Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh has reaffirmed her dedication to improving the health and well-being of school-aged children in the state.
Her commitment is reflected in the ‘Protect Urban School Children’s Health’ (PUSH) Project, an initiative developed in partnership with the Health Policy Research Group of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Speaking to journalists on Saturday in Abuja, Oreh explained that the project is designed to evaluate and enhance existing child health policies for children aged five to 17 years. She noted that at a recent National Policy Dialogue, she presented findings from extensive research that exposed major gaps in the implementation of school health services, despite the existence of clear policy frameworks.
According to her, while current policies emphasise the importance of connecting schools with primary healthcare systems, the situation on the ground remains far from ideal. Many schools continue to be underserved, with serious implications for children’s health and development.
She reported that the research uncovered several critical issues, including inadequate delivery of primary healthcare services to schools, which limits access to adolescent-friendly health services. Other problems identified were economic and human resource constraints hampering service delivery, as well as leadership and funding gaps within the National School Health Policy. These shortcomings, she noted, have led to unsafe school environments, unchecked child abuse and a worrying dependence on informal healthcare providers.
Oreh underscored the urgent need for stronger collaboration to close the gap between primary healthcare centres and urban schools, particularly for Nigeria’s estimated 65 million children. She said the policy dialogue brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including religious leaders, representatives of the Children’s Parliament, academics and policymakers from health, education, social welfare and justice sectors.
She affirmed that the PUSH initiative seeks to systematically transform child healthcare in Rivers State, ensuring children receive the care and support needed to thrive. “My leadership and passion for child health are steps toward securing a healthier future for the youth of Rivers State,” she concluded.
