Access to comprehensive quality healthcare is paramount in improving every population’s wellbeing. UNFPA’s Youth Leaders Fellowship (YOLE) in its efforts to achieve the Sustainable Developments Goal number 3; “Good Health and wellbeing” organized an outreach in the Old Fadama community in Accra, to promote and maintain their physical, mental and social wellbeing.
Old Fadama is a slum located in the Odododiodo constituency of Accra, stretching along the Odaw River and Korle Lagoon. It houses an estimated 80,000 people of which some are foreign nationals from; Togo, Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali.
The area is densely populated with many vulnerable young people, making healthcare and other social services inaccessible to several of the residents. Social vices such as rape, defilement, teenage pregnancy are some of the critical challenges young adolescents in this community face.
For these reasons, UNFPA together with Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) and some volunteers carried out an outreach programme on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights information and services such as Family Planning, HIV Testing, Breast Cancer Screening, Hepatitis B & Hypertension screening while echoing the establishment of a “Helpline of Hope”, a toll free call center to enable victims of domestic violence to report cases for prompt response.
About 265 people including persons with disabilities were screened and counseled. In all over 800 people were reached with information on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights.
Some occupants in the community expressed their opinions about the community outreach;
“This outreach is very important for me and the community as a whole. We feel protected knowing our status regarding STIs. Coming into the communities helps break the stigma about testing for HIV” For example I know my status in HIV now” an excited Aisha said with smiles.
Also, Maame Yaa, 18 stated” In my community most young girls that are sexually active don’t want to use any form of preventive methods. Some of the guys will seize our arms to check if there are signs of implants. Even when they realize you are on any family Planning method, you are perceive as very unchaste”.
