Youth encouraged to proactively seek healthcare this youth month
The AYFS services are aimed at providing holistic healthcare services to the youth between the ages of 10 and 35, as they are often least able to access quality healthcare.
The City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) encourages young people to commemorate Youth Month by proactively attending to their health and seeking adolescent and youth-friendly services (AYFS) at the city’s healthcare facilities.
These services are tailored to address barriers to accessing high-quality health services, including sexual and reproductive health services. AYFS are designed to promote the health and well-being of young people aged between 10 and 35.
“The youth is our future, and we encourage young people to take advantage of this commemorative month and be proactive about their health by taking steps to achieve personal wellness,” said the city’s spokesperson Zweli Dlamini.
All primary healthcare facilities have a dedicated professional nurse, referred to as an AYFS champion, trained to provide primary healthcare services to young people while ensuring a seamless, confidential, and friendly experience.
The AYFS package includes:
• Drug and substance abuse
• HIV/AIDS, TB prevention and TB treatment, including PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis)
• Nutrition and physical exercise
• Mental health/illness; services which include psychotherapy and counselling
• Sexual and reproductive health
• Gender-based violence empowerment services
• Violence prevention
• Choice about the termination of pregnancy
• Acute and chronic disease management
• Family planning methods, including long-acting reversible contraception methods.
