Durban - In a quest to avert teenage illegal abortions and reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health has launched its first Adolescent and Youth Friendly Institution at the Swart Umfolozi Clinic in Empangeni.
KZN Health MEC, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, said it was important for nurses not to berate young women and school children when they came to health facilities seeking contraceptives because this discouraged them, making them more likely to be exposed to poor advice and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/Aids.
“When a 16-year-old girl presents herself at the clinic asking for contraceptives, it is not a duty of the nurse to rebuke and chastise her, but to duly assist. Failure to help can result in this girl coming back later with sexually transmitted infections or being HIV positive or worse; complications from an illegal abortion attempt.”
New HIV infections among young women and girls aged 15 to 24 were still alarmingly high, with 2 400 new infections a week, Dhlomo said.
“The only solution to curbing the rising rate of teenage pregnancy and illegal abortions lies with the establishment of Youth and Adolescent Friendly Health Institutions,” he said.
These centres would be a place where young people could take part in educational video screenings, dialogues and other youth-driven initiatives.
There would be no additional infrastructure, but the institution would be promoted by a “youth champion”.
Health workers were expected to offer education and counselling on sexuality, encourage safe sex, provide education on sexually transmitted infections, HIV and lessons on contraceptives.
At the Swart Umfolozi Clinic, Sister Simangele Zondo was appointed youth champion.
KZN Education MEC, Peggy Nkonyeni’s spokesman, S’celo Khuzwayo, said the department supported initiatives that would improve the lives and wellness of pupils.
He stressed the importance of parents having open conversations about sex with their children.
“We encourage parents to talk to the children about sex and take charge, because the reality is that if they do not, there are other people who are doing that,” he said.
“Times have changed, in the past children and parents could not have these conversations, but now we need to be able to communicate openly about sex and its risks,” he said.
Daily News