A clinic offering a range of health services to the youth from Langa and Bonteheuwel has been opened at Vanguard hospital.

Hospital manager Dr Levona Johnson and provincial health department representative Helimamy Moeng cut the ribbon to the clinic on Mandela Day, last Friday.

Those aged 10 to 24 will have access to HIV screening, counselling and pre-exposure prophylaxis; health advice; dental care; family planning; pap smears; mental health support; TB screening and more at the facility, according to health-promotion officer Vuyokazi Botile.

“If you have a social problem, please come to us. Please speak to us. This is a free space and an open space,” she said, adding that both male and female staff would be available to help.

Most of the services will be available on Fridays from noon to 3.30pm. The dental services will be available on Wednesdays from 8am to noon.

“We are making history as a facility. We are saying to the youth, ‘Come we need you to be here every Friday afternoon.’ We are not doing this alone, we have schools, community policing forums, parents and other stakeholders supporting us. But, most importantly, we have both Langa and Bonteheuwel communities. We want to make sure that young people’s lives are looked after well,” said the clinic’s Vathiswa Maqhajana.

Dr Johnson said: “We want to give young people excellent service. We are concerned about many things, including them eating slap chips. We also know that they live in a toxic world that affects their mental health.”

Nasisipho Maphukatha, of Langa, was among the more than 100 young people who attended the launch.

“We need our space as young people. It's embarrassing to be at the clinic with seniors. There are issues that one would not want to disclose in front of everyone. This is the best thing the health department has ever made.”

Thamsanqa Mbewu said he hoped the staff would be friendly and could be trusted to not betray confidences. “I pray for confidentiality,” he said.

Bonteheuwel ward councillor Angus McKenzie said: “All of us have a responsibility to make sure that youth use this service. We all play a critical role in creating awareness around the challenges that young people face and guide them to a better future.”

Young people from Langa and Bonteheuwel attended the launch of Vanguard hospital’s youth clinic.

“We want to make sure that young people’s lives are looked after well,” says the clinic’s Vathiswa Maqhajana

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Vanguard hospital opens youth clinic