21 Aug 2017

The recently opened Francistown Area W Youth Friendly Clinic will help address health issues peculiar to the youth and will be staffed by people who understand the issues.

The clinic, which was officially opened by Minister of Health and Wellness, Ms Dorcas Makgato on Friday, is designed for the youth between the ages of 10 to 24 years. It provides services such as HIV and prevention, sex issues and issues regarding their health.

Addressing stakeholders, Ms Makgato noted that the youth formed the majority of the country’s population, adding that there was need to invest in them in order to secure the country’s future.

She also noted that the country had been affected by social ills such as multiple concurrent partnerships, inconsistent condom use and alcohol and substance abuse which fueled the HIV epidemic.

“The youth are a special group in society. They need appreciation and to be empowered to be healthy and free from violence,” she said.

She also said most first sexual encounters, 47 per cent specifically, were forced acts due to economic reasons. She added that young girls were enticed by working class men with food, shelter and other necessities.

Ms Makgato also noted that the youth were not a homogenous group, and that they did not exist in isolation. She advised the staff that would be serving the youth in the clinic to treat each case differently.

She also encouraged the staff to involve parents, political leaders and community and traditional leaders in their interventions in order to provide a supportive environment.

The area councillor, Mr Lesego Kwambala applauded the city council for availing the building which has been converted into the clinic.

He also urged the youth to utilise the clinic as services were only tailored for them.ENDS