Mpumalanga Department of Health’s youth zones receive national performance award
The provincial department outshone the all the others and received an award for its establishment of these youth zones.
The Mpumalanga Department of Health (DoH) has received the best performing province award for its establishment of youth zones in the country.
The awards event was held in Birchwood, Gauteng, last Thursday, February 2.
The Department of Health’s youth policy recommended the establishment of youth zones in health facilities as part of an effort to standardise the quality of adolescent health services in the country and to accelerate access to it, especially sexual reproductive health services for young people.
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Youth zones are meant to create a conducive environment in health facilities for young people to access services and openly interact with healthcare providers without receiving judgemental behaviour. The zones are also meant to play a role in meeting the practical and psychosocial needs of young people by including operating times dedicated and suitable to the youth.
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During an interview with the newspaper, the MEC for health, Sasekani Manzini, congratulated the province’s health officials after it was awarded a certificate and trophy.
“We feel encouraged that we are nationally recognised as the best in this category. These youth zones are part of Adolescence Youth Friendly Services. There are issues affecting young people between the ages of 10 and 24. These include teenage pregnancy and making sure that local schools receive programmes that the department provides. These initiatives ensure that as our children grow up, they have programmes that assist them through the various stages.”
Manzini urged the youth to make use of the available services and join youth care clubs.
