Chitipa Youths Emphasize Importance of Outreach Clinics for Reproductive Health

CHITIPA, Malawi-Youths in the area of traditional authority Mwenewenya in Chitipa have underscored the relevance of outreach clinics in promoting sexual and reproductive health and increasing uptake of family planning methods among youths, writes Emmanuel Moyo.

"These clinics are making it easy for us youths to access sexual reproductive health services because for others, health centres are far from them, and even when they go to health centres, they feel shy to get family planning methods, but here it's conducive," said Kelube Kayira, chairperson for Sekwa youth club.

Concurring with Kayira, Joana Mtambo, a youth from Mbaula Village, said, "For us to access family planning methods at the nearest health centre, it costs about ten thousand kwacha, so the coming of these outreach clinics in our areas will increase family planning method uptake, and there will be no unplanned pregnancies anymore."

Representing TA Mwenewenya at one of the outreach clinics, Maxwell Kaira lauded the organization for bringing outreach clinics, saying the sexual reproductive health information and services provided are so beneficial to youths and communities at large.

"On her part, Gomezgani Mhango, programs manager for Pamoza Tingakwaniska Youth Organization, said, "As we orient and empower youths in sexual reproductive health and rights, we want to give them a chance to access sexual reproductive health services without any challenges like long distances and others."

The organization is conducting outreach clinics with financial support from the Breuckmann Foundation and the German government's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.