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Letters to the Editor Indian Pediatrics 2004; 41:967-968 |
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Adolescent Friendly Health |
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The editorial on ‘Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health’(1) has been brought into the limelight at the right time and has lot of implications for focus on adolescents in RCH-II. Nine centres for Adolescent Friendly Health Services (AFHS) have been set up by the Govt. of India in tertiary. As highlighted in the editorial, the issues of ASRH deserve importance and priority. However, considering the conservative society of our country the focus should be on package of holistic services through an integrated approach rather than ASRH alone. The HIV clinics in South Africa suffered low utilisation due to stigma attached and were rechristened as National Adolescent Friendly Clinic Initiative (NAFCI) providing a wide range of services. The education system is a critical entry point to cater to the larger group of adolescents attending schools. The concept of Health Promoting Schools in Thailand and in Malaysia initiated jointly by Ministries of Health and Education are successful models which are integral part of AFHS(2). Schools can not only provide IEC on ASRH issues but also address nutritional problems like anemia, common concerns of adolescents and act as links in the referral chain with the health department for those requiring medical/counseling services. For the marginalised group of out of school adolescents, the existence and presence of suggested delivery points in the field and their functionality may require more insights before launching a large scale program. Innovative options like Friendly Corners in Thailand and One Stop Shop in Philippines, set in unusual venues like shopping malls, youth centers are being used to attract youth to use government services. Using peers as change agents in the community in a rural block of Haryana to reach out of school adolescents has been quite encouraging(3). The policies in the country should be favourable for promoting healthy life styles in adolescents. For instance, non availability of contraceptives for unmarried adolescents perpetuates unsafe sex even in presence of knowledge about HIV/AIDS. In conclusion, an integrated approach for AFHS with focus on ASRH, ensuring the adolescent friendliness of health facilities/providers and developing intersectoral linkages to make health services accessible to all adolescents in the background of conducive political commitment and policies, are key challenges in addressing the ASRH. Nidhi Chaudhary, Society for Women & Children’s Health Opp. H. No. 647, Sector 16, Panchkula (Haryana). E-mail : [email protected]
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