By Chisomo Phiri
Umunthu Foundation Executive Director David Odali has emphasized the need for increased awareness of youth-friendly health services to address the rising incidence of teen pregnancies and unsafe abortions.
Odali made the call on Saturday during a training session on Youth Friendly Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights for 30 health workers from public and private health facilities in Blantyre, representing Senior Chiefs Kapeni and Machinjiri.
He highlighted that one of the contributing factors to this trend is the reluctance of youth to seek health services due to negative experiences with healthcare providers.
“Our focus is on educating health workers about the importance of creating a welcoming environment that encourages youth to access various health services,” he said.
One of the participants in the training Veronica Muotcha who is a nurse at Bangwe Health Centre, acknowledged the significance of the initiative.
“This training will enhance my approach to interacting with young people at the health centre,” she said.
Umunthu Foundation is a local Non-Governmental (NGO) working to improve the quality of life for people affected by HIV, and other vulnerable groups, in underserved communities of Malawi.
