NGO takes youth-friendly services to rural areas

Pamoza Tingakwaniska Youth Organisation has intensified mobile outreach programmes to scale up access to youth-friendly health services in rural areas in Karonga District.

Speaking during a mobile clinic at Thunduti in Senior Chief Wasambo, the organisation’s programmes manager Gomezgani Mhango urged the youth to access the services to prevent unplanned pregnancies and contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.

He said most youths fail to access contraceptives due to long distances to health centres.

“After learning that young people travel long distances to either Fuliwa or Chilumba health facilities to access contraceptives, we decided to bring the services closer to the youth,” said Mhango.

He said failure to access contraceptives was one of the factors leading to teen pregnancies and early marriages among many girls.

“We are not happy to see girls dropout of school due to pregnancies or early marriages. That is why we want them to know about sexual and reproductive health issues to demand access to youth-friendly health services,” said Mhango.

Thunduti Youth Empowerment Club chairperson John Gondwe commended the organisation for facilitating the outreach clinic in the area.

“Adolescent girls and young women have learned about their rights. They can now demand youth-friendly health services,” he said.

One of the youth, Wezzie Mwale, urged her fellow young people to make good use of the mobile clinic, saying there is no excuse for not accessing family planning services.

“I will also encourage my friends to learn about sexual and reproductive health issues,” she said.

Karonga District Youth Office representative Maria Mogha also commended the organisation for the initiative.

She urged the youth to utilise the services to prevent unplanned ptrgnancies and contracting STIs.

On his part, the guest of honour Pastor Harry Mhango, who spoke on behalf of Senior Chief Wasambo, said the initiative has full support from traditional leaders.

“They will mobilise youths in their respective areas to patronise the mobile clinic,” he said.

With funding from Breuckmann Foundation of Germany, Pamoza Tingakwaniska is implementing Wanangwa Wane Project in traditional authorities Wasambo in Karonga and Mweniwenya in Chitipa.