PHIC launches an advocacy campaign aimed at establishing and operationalizing “Adolescent and Youth Corners” in health facilities to enhance access to adolescent and youth-friendly services. As part of this initiative, PHIC organized a crucial meeting with the Directorate of Health Services in Wakiso District, including the District Health Officer (DHO), Dr. Emmanuel Mukisa, the Assistant DHO for Maternal and Child Health, Sr. Betty Nabuganda, and 20 health center in-charges from various public health facilities in the district. The meeting took place at City Royal Hotel Bugolobi, Kampala, Uganda.
During the meeting, Dr. Mukisa highlighted significant gaps in Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services in the district, noting poor health indicators and urging health facility in-charges to collaborate with PHIC to address these challenges. Sr. Betty Nabuganda emphasized the scarcity of youth corners in district health facilities, the low uptake of family planning services, and the high number of deliveries not attended by trained healthcare providers. She expressed deep concern over the district’s teenage pregnancy rate, which currently stands at 24%, and commended PHIC for their efforts to combat these alarming statistics.
Both the DHO’s office and the health center in-charges recognized the urgent need for structural improvements within health facilities to effectively deliver adolescent and youth-friendly services. PHIC’s advocacy campaign aims to bridge these gaps and foster a healthier future for the youth in Wakiso District.
