Pamoza Tingakwaniska Youth Organisation (PTYO) board chairperson Christobel Munthali says the construction of sexual reproductive health (SRH) one stop centre will reduce teen aged pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and promote family planning methods amongst the youths.
She made the remarks at Mwambetania Village in Paramount Chief Kyungu on Friday during Karonga District SRH stakeholders’ inspection tour of the construction site to appreciate progress of the project which is at 80 percent completion.
“This facility is the first of its kind in the district which apart from helping adolescent girls, will transform the face of the district.
She said: “We hope the youths will utilise this facility to mould the future that they want as they will be getting all the SRH services under one roof. So, we expect an increased number of the youths to access improved family planning services.
“Apart from that, this facility will be a youth corner and resource centre for the youth who will be converging here to share notes on how they can improve their lives.”
In an interview, Karonga District Youth Officer Lapken Liwago said the one stop centre is of significance value to the youth, saying it will ensure the provision of comprehensive services such as contraception, STI testing and treatment, pregnancy testing, counseling and education on SRH.
He said: “This will ensure that young people access all the services they need in one location. It will also enhance a youth-friendly environment in a privacy and confidentiality manner.”
Above all, the one stop centre will help to promote education and awareness by empowering the youths with knowledge about their bodies, rights and options regarding SRH services.
On her part, Karonga District Hospital Family Planning Coordinator Ruth Ngwalo said the construction of the centre means more youths will patronise the facility and reduce unplanned pregnancies and escalation of STIs.
“The facility has been designed in such a way that all services that the youth need will be under one roof because it has required facilities,” she said.
The centre, which PTYO is constructing with more than K272 million financial support from Breuckmann Foundation and German Government Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation Development, is set to open in January next year.
