The Deputy Minister, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo will on Thursday, 26 October preside over the official launch of the adolescent and youth-friendly services (AYFS), otherwise known as youth friendly zone at Emalangeni clinic in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape.
The launch is part of the department’s interventions by government in collaboration with non-governmental organidsations in the health sector to improve access to health services, especial reproductive health and family planning services by youth people through creating a conducive environment in the primary healthcare facilities.
The establishment of youth friendly zones was informed by statistics of teenage pregnancy and high rate of HIV infections amongst young people between the ages of 10 and 19 years, which led to the study which found that a number of adolescent girls and young women don’t visit primary health facilities due to what they called judgemental attitude by some healthcare workers and long waiting times.
The department has been implementing and rapidly rolling out the youth friendly zones in health facilities to enable young people to have unrestricted access and have easy access to the health services mainly provided by young health workers.
Members of the media are invited to attend the launch scheduled as follows:
Date: Thursday, 26 October 2023
Time: 11h00
Venue: Malangeni Clinic, Lusikisiki, Ngquza Hill Local Municipality - Eastern Cape Province
For media enquiries, please contact:
Mr Foster Mohale
Health Departmental Spokesperson
0724323792
Foster.mohale@health.gov.za
Mr Doctor Tshwale
Spokesperson for Health Minister
063 657 8487
Doctor.Tshwale@health.gov.za
