Youth-friendly Services at Vanguard Community Health Centre Interview

Vanguard Community Health Centre has recently launched its Adolescent and Youth Friendly Services (AYFS) for the young residents of Bonteheuwel and Langa.  Today we are focusing on how these services can benefit your family, especially young people.

Adolescence is the phase of life between childhood and adulthood (ages 10 to 19) where young people may face challenges that can affect their development, such as peer pressure, teenage pregnancy, mental illness, or substance abuse. During this time, young people may require dedicated healthcare support to protect their healthcare status and their future health.


Vanguard Community Health Centre Operational Manager, Dr. Levona Johnson, AYFS champion, Sr Vathiswa Maqajana, and health promoter Vuyo Botile joined us in studio to share more about the youth-friendly services and what this means to the young people of Bonteheuwel and Langa.

We made sure to discuss what adolescent and youth-friendly services mean and how they work, why it's important to focus on our youth in particular, the importance of mental health services and the safe space that it provides.

In this group interview Vanguard's representatives made sure to discuss their involvement in the healthcare sector and the launching of many clinics around Cape Town. They have various services including offering of contraceptives, the morning after pill, TB screenings, refferals, provide a dedicated space for youth on select days and more. The youth and their health, including their mental health, is important because these are the future leaders of tomorrow. Everyone should keep in mind statistics such as the fact that for ages 1-19, 1 in 7 suffer from mental health challenges which is 14% of the global population.

Find out more and stay connected with the Vanguard Community Health Centre which you can find information for here https://www.westerncape.gov.za/facility/vanguard-community-health-clinic.

Vanguard CHC is also doing free breast checks Tuesday 30 July from 9:00 to 14:30. Take advantage!

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