24 Jan 2017

The Botswana Family Welfare Association (BOFWA) has established a youth friendly clinic centre in Palapye.

Ms Neo Monare, the service delivery officer said in an interview that the clinic focused on family planning methods and sexual reproductive health.

“The BOFWA Youth Friendly Clinic offers a wide range of sexual reproductive health and HIV/AIDS services in a relaxed, friendly and confidential environment that meet the needs of both young males and females,” said Ms Monare.

Ms Monare said BOFWA youth friendly clinic services was targeting mostly the youth of 10 to 24 years but the clinic also attend any youth beyond the stated age.

When talking about the services provided, she said at the clinic they diagnose and treat sexually transmitted diseases after the assessment of the signs and symptoms of the client.

She also said the clinic provided gynecologist services like screening for cervical cancer, Pap smear, pelvic examination and breasts examination.

The service delivery officer further said BOFWA clinic offered family planning information and services and methods of family planning, oral contraceptives, injections and condoms are provided.

The clinic again provides the blood tests services and include full blood test, blood group and hormonal profile.

The BOFWA clinic has amenities for general counseling for families, individuals and couples on issues related to sexual reproductive health and HIV/AIDS and also gender based and domestic violence.

Ms Monare said the clinic referred its clients to hospitals and other relevant organisations for other services like safe male circumcision, counseling for alcohol and drug abuse and addictions, counseling and psychological support, Prevention of Mother To Child Transmission , CD4 monitoring and ARVs.

She further said BOFWA Youth Friendly Clinic was a new initiative in Palapye and it started being fully operational beginning of this year. She said last year, the clinic was operating as an outreach from Selebi Phikwe with once a month visits to Palapye.

“The plan is to take BOFWA Youth Friendly Clinic services to people of Palapye and surrounding areas by community mobilisation and collaborating with governmental and non-governmental organisations and by also speaking to targeted youth at schooling areas,” Ms Monare said.

BOFWA is said to be working with other non-governmental organisations like District Multi Sectoral AIDS Committee, (DMSAC) Tebelopele and Botswana Network of People living With HIV/AIDS (BONEPWA), and the clinic report monthly to the government. BOPA