Teen clinics set up to monitor youth health

Teen clinics set up to monitor youth health
Preetu Nair | TNN

Panaji: As part of the adolescent reproductive and sexual health (ARSH) programme in schools, the state government has started ‘teen clinics’ for teenagers who need medical help.
The government plans to set-up teen clinics in all health centers by 2010. Presently, teen clinics are functioning at five community health centres and 19 primary health centres.
The services for teenagers are absolutely free and they are given medical advise on sexual reproductive health, besides counselling.
“If need be, they are also treated. Any teenager between the age of 10 and 19 can seek treatment,” said Dr Pradeep Padwal, chief medical officer (family welfare), Directorate of Health Services.
There is no registeration fee for those who visit the clinic and no case paper is prepared.
This is to maintain the confidentiality of teenagers who visit the clinic. However, a register with the names of the youth is maintained by the clinic.
The clinics are held once a week. But getting students to the clinic has taken time.
“Medical officers, who visit the schools for medical e x a m i n at i o n , besides the young male and female teachers, have worked hard to start a dialogue with the youth. The teens discuss their problems with the doctor or teacher and if recommended they go to the teen clinic,” said Dr Padwal.
However, the number of teenagers visiting the teen clinics is not very impressive with about five teenagers visiting the clinic in a
week and sometimes even less.
Admitting that it is yet to gain popularity among the youth, Dr Padwal said that they are trying to spread information about the same by visiting schools and informing children about the ARSH and teen clinics. “We are also planning to conduct a survey to understand the teen perception about health and what they feel about it,” he said.
Besides taking the help of young teachers and doctors, the department is planning to start a helpline for teenagers. “The helpline would encourage the teenagers to talk openly as everything is private and confidential,” Dr Padwal added.

2008 Jul 28 Times Of India Goa