Speaking to reporters yesterday in Iringa, AMREF Project Manager
Benard Pesambilisi said similar renovation works have been done for
centers in Ilala and Kinondoni in Dar es Salaam as to support government
efforts to improve health services for its people.
Pesambilisi said apart from renovating the buildings for youth,
children and women, the centers have also been assisted with medical
facilities and training for its workers.
Interviewed, health workers from the supported centers by AMREF
testified that since the project started 4 years ago, the rate of early
pregnancies and children death have been reduced tremendously but no
specific figures were afforded.
The Kitwiru Chief Nursing Officer, Ester Sanga pointed out that
among the challenges faced is stigma on reproductive health, and so they
meet the youth during public and village meetings because most fear
running into their parents at the health centers.
“One of the biggest challenges is youth fear to be exposed to their
parents especially when seeking treatment for Sexual Transmitted
Disease (STD),” he said.
Iringa Municipality Medical Officer, Mei Alexandar commended AMREF
for the medical facilities provision. He noted that Iringa Municipality
has so far recorded satisfactory results from advocacy initiatives with
more youth turning out for health checkups including HIV/AIDS.SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
No comments:
Post a Comment