Malawi: Mangochi District Youth Friendly Services Coordinator, Peter Malipa is happy to witness increased awareness of sexual and reproductive health. He announced that over 650,000 youths accessed various youth friendly services in 2023.
The statistics came from across the various health facilities in the district. The people of the country have been known to have little knowledge about the various sexual and reproductive rights.
The situation leads to increased crimes and feelings of insecurity among the people of the country. People who are aware of their reproductive health rights can live more relaxed and fulfilled lives.
Malipa made the remarks during a media interaction on Friday. He said that Mangochi registered an increased demand for Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) services.
This is a major development for the district as compared to 2022 when fewer youth accessed similar services.
Malipa shared that, among other services, youngsters mostly accessed information and counselling, family planning, condom promotion and HIV counselling and testing.
“We are making great improvements in access to SRHR services by the youths as there is increased demand of the services. The youth are now able to easily access the services because of various interventions in the district.”
The healthcare stakeholders are working hard to ensure that more and more youngsters across the country are aware of their rights when concerning reproductive health.
“As a district, we conducted more outreach clinics, training of new Youth Community Based Distributing Agencies (YCBDAs), sensitisation campaigns where youth were reached with SRHR messages. We made sure that there is improved availability of supplies and drugs in all health facilities across the district,” said Malipa.
He gave the credit for this development to good coordination between the district council and stakeholders. Jointly, they are empowering youth with the knowledge to make the right decisions.
Chairperson for Mangochi District Youth Network, Zachariah Alisa, commended the efforts the council is making by ensuring that youth are not left behind in accessing SRHR services.
“The council and its partners have created a conducive environment for us by establishing various platforms such as youth clubs and children’s corners where young people meet and share ideas to improve their health life. In these platforms, they are encouraged to access various SRHR services from providers,” he said.
He has therefore asked the council to establish more YCBDAs and youth-led outreach clinics to provide services and create more demand among youths.