By Emmanuel Nyatsikor, GNA
Adaklu Kpodzi (V/R), Aug. 24, GNA – Parents have been advised to take keen interest in the Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) of their children, especially the girls.
This would help prevent them from seeking solutions for their reproductive health needs from their peers and other unqualified sources.
Mrs Rachel Adzogble Amefordzi, Midwife in charge of the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) Clinic, Sunday gave the advice during a Mobile Outreach Programme organised jointly by PPAG and the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) at Adaklu Kpodzi in the Adaklu district.
The aim of the Programme was to bring SRH, contraceptives, HIV/STI, and counselling services directly to young people in underserved communities.
Mrs Amefordzi also urged them not to shy away from discussing SHR issues with their children, adding, “let your children have confidence in you to enable them to disclose their SRH issues with you.”
She stated that the future aspirations of the girls depended largely on a healthy reproductive system and asked them to periodically seek expert advice from trained health personnel.
The Midwife also asked parents to help their teenage girls to maintain good personal hygiene, especially when they were in their menses.
She told the girls that their menstrual period was nature’s way of cleansing the reproductive system so they should not feel shy and melancholy during that period.
Mrs Amefordzi also told them that the female organ was self-cleansing so they should not insert any foreign materials in it in the name of cleansing it.
Mr Christopher Makam, Volta Regional Focal Person of UNFPA Adolescent Girl Empowerment Project Services stated that cultural and religious practices were inhibiting adolescents from seeking professional reproductive health services.
He said PPAG and UNFPA were therefore collaborating to create a safe and enabling environment for young people to access youth friendly SRH services.
The Focal Person noted that the Programme would also help address the issues of teenage pregnancy, gender-based violence, drug abuse, and other social vices among adolescents.
He said the Programme was being implemented in the Adaklu, Central Tongu, Anloga, Keta, and Akatsi North districts in the Volta region.
Mr Makam urged traditional authorities to enact bylaws that would prohibit teenagers from loitering in the night in their communities.
The adolescents who participated in the Programme were tested for HIV/AIDS, Sexual Transmitted Infections, and other diseases.
They were also given free medications.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Linda Asante Agyei