Youths in the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Mwenewenya in Chitipa have called for more outreach clinics saying they are key in increasing uptake of family planning methods (FPM) amongst youths in rural areas.

The youths made the call on Tuesday when Pamoza Tingakwaniska Youth Organisation conducted an outreach clinic in the area, specifically in group village head Kamilamphande, with an aim of taking sexual reproductive health services closer to youth and communities that are far from health centers.

A member of Mpale youth club in the area, Maria Kalua said accessing FPM is a challenge due to high transportation costs to health facilities which are found in distant places.

A girl receiving family planning services offered by the outreach clinic

“For us to access sexual reproductive health services, we pay high transport costs which many youths cannot afford. These outreach clinics have brought services closer to us and we need more of these so that more youth are reached,” Kalua said.

In a separate interview, Pamoza Tingakwaniska Organisation’s Programme Manager, Gomezgani Mhango asked village heads to promote awareness on the importance of family planning among the youths in order to minimise misconceptions about the use of family planning modern methods.

“We ask our chiefs to help in dealing with misconceptions and rejection of family planning in some communities as some parents deny youths access to sexual reproductive health services,” Mhango said.

The outreach clinics project started in July 2022 and it is expected to end in December this year.