Connect with us

health

Young Africans Confront Rising Mental Health Crisis

Published

on

Africans

African youth face rising mental health challenges. Digital initiatives like Africa Wellness Voices are helping young people access support and share experiences

adron lemon friday

Economic pressure, insecurity, social displacement, and uncertainty about the future are fuelling a growing mental health burden among young Africans, particularly in Nigeria, where unemployment, inflation, and safety concerns continue to strain daily life.

Also read: Nigerian Health System Collapsing, Experts Uncover $1bn Medical Tourism Crisis

Mental health professionals have warned that stigma, limited access to care, and cultural silence around emotional well-being are preventing young people from seeking support.

Community advocates describe the issue as systemic, affecting students, young professionals, and displaced families navigating instability and economic hardship.

In response, youth voices across Africa are increasingly turning to digital platforms to share lived experiences and promote open conversations around mental wellness.

A notable example is the Africa Wellness Voices Initiative, a pan-African digital movement highlighting daily reflections from young people across multiple countries.

Ridwan Oyenuga, founder of SereniMind and coordinator of the initiative, said, “The growing mental health burden requires collective, community-driven responses. The challenges young people face today are interconnected: economic uncertainty, insecurity, social pressure, and isolation. Creating safe spaces where young Africans can speak openly and feel heard is an essential step toward healing and resilience.”

SereniMind, a Nigerian-founded digital mental health platform, aims to expand access to professional mental wellness services through technology and community engagement.

The initiative underscores a broader shift toward using digital tools to enhance mental health awareness and accessibility across the continent.

Also read: Why Nigeria’s Ban on Sachet Alcohol is a Prescription for Public Health

Advocates emphasise that sustained awareness, active youth participation, and targeted policy interventions will be crucial to addressing what many experts now regard as one of the most urgent public health concerns facing Africa.

60 / 100 SEO Score

health

GFF@25 Medical Mission Begins October 9 Across Ogun LGAs

Published

on

The Gateway Front Foundation’s GFF@25 Medical Mission will begin on October 9 and run through October 24, 2026, bringing free specialist medical services to residents across Ogun State as part of activities marking the foundation’s 25th anniversary.

adron lemon friday

The 14-day intervention is being organised by the Gateway Front Foundation in partnership with Sharing Hope Medical Mission from the United States, Sharing Hope and Care Foundation and Redeemer’s Health Village. The programme is sponsored by Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

The mission is expected to provide free major and minor surgeries, eye care, gynaecological procedures, orthopaedic treatment, plastic and burn surgery, as well as other specialist medical services. Organisers say more than 15,000 patients are expected to benefit from the programme.

More than 50 doctors from the United States are expected to participate in the mission, while local healthcare practitioners are also expected to receive training as part of the broader programme.

Ahead of the main intervention, the foundation has already begun medical screening and clinical assessments in parts of Ogun. On September 21, residents in Sagamu were screened across four centres, while another exercise was held on September 30 at Redemption City and Simawa to identify cases requiring specialised and surgical treatment.
The screening exercises covered conditions including cataracts, pterygium, dental cases, tumours, lipomas, ganglions, hernias, fibroids, vesicovaginal fistula, prostate conditions, orthopaedic problems, fractures, dislocations, amputations, diabetes and gastroenterology-related ailments. Selected beneficiaries are expected to proceed to the surgical phase of the programme.

To widen access and reduce pressure on a single location, the foundation has scheduled screening and medical interventions across several Local Government Areas, according to the programme schedule released by the organisers.

The listed locations include Ijebu North, Ijebu North East, Sagamu, Ijebu Ode, Ogun Waterside, Ikenne, Odogbolu, Ijebu East, Remo North and the RCCG City area.

The schedule is as follows:

October 9: Ijebu North, Kabiesi Solaja Hall and Bojowa Street, Ago-Iwoye
October 10: Ijebu North East, GFF Care Centre, Erunwon
October 12: Sagamu, Asoludero Hall and Ogijo
October 13: Ijebu Ode, Obalofin Hall
October 14: Ogun Waterside, Abigi Community Town Hall
October 15: Ikenne
October 16: Odogbolu
October 17: Ijebu East, Hazelway Hotel, Ijebu Mushin
October 18: Remo North, Ode-Remo Main Market
October 9, 10 and 12–16: RCCG City/Health Village area

The Redeemers Health Village in Mowe, Redemption City, will serve as the main location for cases requiring surgery, according to the organisers. This arrangement is intended to provide sufficient space and facilities for surgical procedures.

Monitoring officers have also been assigned to the various locations to coordinate activities, manage the flow of beneficiaries and support the smooth delivery of the medical services.

The GFF@25 Medical Mission is one of the major programmes marking the foundation’s 25th anniversary. The Gateway Front Foundation, established by Daniel, has over the years undertaken healthcare and other community-focused interventions, including medical outreaches and eye-care initiatives.

Residents requiring medical attention have been encouraged by the organisers to visit the nearest designated venue on the appropriate date for screening and assessment.

The foundation said the anniversary programme is intended to extend its humanitarian activities to more communities, with healthcare forming a major part of the GFF@25 interventions.

58 / 100 SEO Score
Continue Reading

health

Governor Dauda Lawal Approves 95% Salary Increase for Health Workers

Published

on

By

The Governor of Zamfara State, His Excellency Dauda Lawal, has approved a 95 percent salary increase for health workers across the state.

adron lemon friday

The approval, which adopts the Federal Government’s Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), is aimed at improving the welfare of health workers and strengthening healthcare delivery in the state.

The development follows an earlier increase by the state government to bring the salaries of medical personnel in Zamfara in line with those of their counterparts in the Federal Government.

With the new approval, a health worker currently earning ₦100,000 will now take home ₦195,000, while someone on ₦200,000 will earn ₦390,000. A worker on ₦300,000 will now receive ₦585,000, and those on ₦500,000 and ₦1,000,000 will earn ₦975,000 and ₦1,950,000 respectively.

In effect, the 95 percent increase means the existing salary of every affected health worker is almost doubled.

The approval is expected to boost morale, attract and retain qualified health professionals, and ultimately improve healthcare delivery across the state.

It also comes shortly after the state government recruited new health workers last week, with the newly engaged staff set to benefit from the new salary structure.

Health workers in the state have since expressed appreciation to Governor Lawal for the gesture, describing it as a major boost to the sector.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare of workers and the delivery of quality healthcare services to the people of Zamfara State.

41 / 100 SEO Score
Continue Reading

health

NAFDAC urged to probe KissKids diaper claims

Published

on

NAFDAC

Consumer advocates call for an independent quality assessment after a viral TikTok video alleged foreign material was found inside a baby diaper

(more…)

adron lemon friday

70 / 100 SEO Score
Continue Reading

Trending News