The Kano State Government has increased the number of health facilities providing Adolescent and Youth Friendly Health Services from 340 to 743 across the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, announced this during a press briefing to mark International Adolescent Health Week 2026. The theme of this year event is “Nothing About Us Without Us: Power, Voice and Health Equity for All Adolescents.”
Dr Yusuf said the increase shows the government commitment to giving young people better access to quality and friendly healthcare services. Adolescents need attention, guidance, and support to live healthy and productive lives.
He stressed that adolescents must be involved in decisions affecting their health and future. He said their voices should count in the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of programmes meant for them.
The services available at these facilities include sexual and reproductive health information and services, mental health support, prevention of sexually transmitted infections, menstrual health, nutrition, and prevention of gender based violence.
As part of the commemoration, the Ministry, working with development partners and stakeholders, will carry out sensitisation, advocacy, capacity building, and community engagement activities across the state. These activities will bring together adolescents, health workers, parents, traditional and religious leaders, and others.
The Commissioner called on parents and caregivers to guide their children, listen to their concerns, and support them in making informed decisions about their health.
He also urged healthcare professionals to provide respectful, confidential, and quality services. He encouraged traditional and religious leaders, educators, and community organisations to help remove social and cultural barriers that stop adolescents from getting reliable health information and care.
Dr Yusuf appealed to media organisations to promote accurate and responsible reporting on adolescent health. He asked them to amplify young people’s voices and educate the public on the importance of adolescent friendly healthcare services.
He encouraged adolescents to take part in health related engagements, seek reliable information, and contribute to decisions affecting their well-being.
The state government acknowledged the support of its development partners, including Society for Family Health (SFH A360), Girl Effect, Bloom Initiatives, Gwarzo Foundation, and SIDES, as well as healthcare workers, youth champions, media organisations, community leaders, and parents.
