The youth and community development workers of Alexandra want to have more input into the health and environmental conditions of the township.
This was made clear at a recent health summit attended by the community and the city council’s department of health at Sankopano Community Centre.
Andrew Makato, representing the youth said environmental decay and poor health conditions of the township would not change in the absence of consultation with the youths of Alexandra who made up the majority of residents.
“We need an inclusive platform where we can contribute to formulating strategies on health improvement and environmental management,” said Makato. “This will give us an opportunity to contribute solutions for illegal dumping, underage drinking and alcohol advertising, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, crime and the inhumane bucket toilet system.”
The platform would help improve communication between stakeholders and enable them to develop plans and projects for environmental projects. “The platform will also be a base for youths to engage on sustainable strategies to eliminate rodents and diseases they convey. Youths need to be talked with not dictated to,” he said.
Meanwhile, the community development workers indicated that their services were not accorded the recognition it deserved. These services included providing home-based care support to the bedridden, frail, elderly and disabled residents. The workers said they were vulnerable to contracting chronic diseases as they were not provided with the means to protect themselves.
They urged the health department to recognise their contribution by providing them accredited training.
