18 Jan 2017

South East District Health Management Team opened a clinic that only offers services to the youth between the ages of 10 and 24.                            

Mr Baolepi Thamuku, a principal registered nurse working in the clinic confirmed in an interview that they have opened a youth friendly service clinic.                          

The nurse said the clinic is an initiative of the Ministry of Health and Wellness who were guided by the World health Organization regulations.                              

He indicated that the clinic is meant  to address the health needs of the youth.  

Mr Thamuku said it has been evident that the youth dropout of school due to ignorance of contraceptives.                                                    

Still on the issue, he said the youth are ashamed to enroll in family planning because of the social values in the societies.                                                                

‘The clinic is in place to isolate the youth from adults who might make the youth uncomfortable when getting services such as family planning,” he said.                                

Mr Thamuku said the clinic offers the following services; sexual reproductive health, minor ailments, HIV testing and counselling, STI testing and management and life skills.                    

He said that HIV testing and counselling is done through BOCAIP.                    

He mentioned that they have referral services to other institutions that are in line with cases they are having.                                                    

“A young girl who is found to be raped or defiled is referred to the social workers and the police who are responsible for such cases,” he explained.                            

Mr Thamuku said that currently he is the only nurse working in the clinic and he is being assisted by a Peace Corp volunteer.        

He said they have promising number of clients since they have visited schools in and around Ramotswa to alert the students of the services their clinic is providing.                       

He said issues of funds are interfering with the marketing of the clinic but he is adamant that the funds will be availed in the next financial year.                                     

He said the government is to revive the clinic which will meet all the requirements of a youth clinic which has to have certain colours and enough staff.                              

He further said they have resorted to Facebook platform to market the clinic.                

Mr Thamuku mentioned that they have also gone around schools and taken advantage of youth forums to market the clinic.                                            

He said that the clinic will further engage peer educators who will be trained on health issues and equip their peers with health education.                                    

He indicated that the clinic is located in Ramotswa at Emmanuel Counselling Center.  ENDS