Youths in Mangochi demand friendly health services
Youths in Monkey Bay, Mangochi have bemoaned lack of youth-friendly health services at Monkey Bay Rural Hospital.
They expressed the concern on Monday during a youth meeting that Dzimwe Community Radio Station organised through the Youth Take Action Programme.
Speaking on behalf of the youth, Chisomo Maganga said lack of youth-friendly services was resulting in teen pregnancies and early marriages.
“I ask the police to arrest perpetrators of child marriages so that children are not pushed into marriages,” said Maganga.
In response, Monkey Bay Rural Hospital health surveillance assistant Frank Muleso said lack of funding was hampering efforts to expand youth-friendly health services.
“We simply don’t have the resources to meet the demand. We need support from well-wishers to help us reach out to more youths,” he said.
In a separate interview, Ministry of Health spokesperson Adrian Chikumbe acknowledged the challenges, but cited limitations due to decentralisation system.
“District funding does not go through the Ministry of Health. It comes directly from the Treasury to Local Government and then to the councils,” he said.
Chikumbe encouraged local authorities to emulate other districts by seeking assistance from partners with an interest in youth-friendly health programmes to address funding gaps.
Monkey Bay Zone primary education adviser Gloria Khauke shared efforts schools were making to support girls’ hygiene.
“We constructed changing rooms for girls in primary schools. Schools are providing water, soap and sanitary pads to girls,” she said.
During the meeting, youths raised various concerns, including requests for outreach clinics, particularly in remote areas.
The Youth Take Action radio programme is part of Developing Radio Partners’ PROPEL Health Project which is funded by USAID.
