Mitchell’s Plain Community Health Centre relaunches youth-friendly health services

The Mitchell’s Plain Community Health Centre (MPCHC) has relaunched its Adolescent and Youth Friendly Services (AYFS) at the facility.

The event took place on Wednesday, 28 May, and was attended by pupils and staff from Beacon Hill High School, Imperial Primary School and Wespoort Primary School. Meadowridge Primary School opened the day with a drum-major routine.

AYFS, also known as Youth Zones, was first introduced at MPCHC in 2017. The relaunch was timed to align with the start of Child Protection Week.

Other clinics in the Klipfontein Mitchell’s Plain sub-structure (KMPSS) will also be relaunching its youth zones in the coming weeks to encourage young people to access healthcare services in spaces created specifically for them.

These youth zones aim to bridge the gap between young people and health services. They offer a safe and welcoming space where youth aged 10 to 19 can access vital sexual and reproductive health services, mental health support, counselling, nutrition advice, routine check-ups, and vaccinations - all in private and without judgement.

Health promoter Chillestine Hackley, who’s worked at MPCHC for 37 years, said the goal is to make youth feel safe and supported.

“This is about us, for us,” she said.

Pupils were also given information about how social development services work, including their legal rights and age-related responsibilities. 

Jason Williams, from the Department of Social Development, said many youth are being lost to school dropout, teenage pregnancy and cyberbullying.

He encouraged pupils to use social workers, available without appointments during working hours. After-hours help is available via the nearest police station, though prank calls have made sharing the direct number difficult.

The Zoe Project, based behind the Mitchell’s Plain Midwife Obstetrics Unit (MOU), also presented its programme.

“We are there because we care,” said founder Tracy Aitken.

Grade 9 pupil Leo Chapel, 15, said the services are accessible.

“Now that we know about them, we can use them. Before, it didn’t feel this welcoming.”

Matric pupil Aaliyah Gysman, 17, said they now have access to services like family planning, HIV testing, counselling and more - in a space that allows them to avoid long queues.

Social worker Rene Daniels and her team hosted a session where youth could speak openly about their health and help improve services.

All youth zone services are available in room 30, the dedicated youth space, from 2pm to 4pm, Monday to Friday.

Emergency contraception is also available outside these hours at the MOU and Trauma Unit. On Fridays, additional youth services are offered outside MPCHC in the purple van. Youth aged 12 and older have the legal right to access and consent to medical care.