Accessible adolescent and youth healthcare spaces for high school learners

Accessible adolescent and youth healthcare spaces and services for high school learners

Providing appealing and easily accessible healthcare spaces and youth friendly services for adolescents and young people remains a high priority of the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness and its partners like Soul City and LoveLife.

On 4th October 2024, a total of 120 learners from 11 high schools in Kraaifontein participated in a Youth Health and Wellness Expo organised by the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness in collaboration with multisectoral partners. The initiative aimed to provide them with a space to express their views and experiences regarding sexual and reproductive health, growing safer communities, improving healthy lifestyles, mental health and overall wellness.

Adolescents and young people face various health challenges and social ills. New HIV infections remain stubbornly high among young people and the province has observed several teenage deliveries in health facilities this year, involving children aged 10-14 years and 15-19 years.

To address these challenges facing young people, the department and its partners have established several youth zones in the province to create spaces where young people feel heard, respected and empowered to prioritise their health, with many facilities offering dedicated hours for youth to access care. These facilities create an enabling environment for young people to openly discuss their health challenges without fear of being judged.

The barriers to uptake of health services are minimised, as young people participate in the co-creation of the planning and implementation of the youth zones. These youth zones also serve a purpose for young people to share challenges such as unplanned pregnancy with healthcare workers who will advise them on several safe options.

Dr Hilary Goeiman, Director of Service Priorities Coordination at the department, said, “Adolescence is a unique stage of human development and an important time for laying the foundations of good health and wellbeing. Initiatives such as this expo provide adolescents with information, including age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education, and opportunities to develop life skills and health services that are acceptable, equitable and appropriate for them. Expanding such opportunities is key to responding to adolescents’ specific needs and rights.”

The department remains committed to structuring its services be inclusive of the needs of young people empowering youth to take control of their health and wellbeing. This ensures that an enabling environment is created for youth to encourage health seeking behaviour and improve access for young people with the intention of improving the wellbeing of society.