Good health and well-being is the cornerstone for development globally. The wealth of a nation is dependent on its people hence, it is imperative to invest in the health of every individual in a community. UNFPA supported the renovation of the adolescent health, nutrition and sewing units of the Ussher Polyclinic in Jamestown, Accra as part of its contributions to the well-being of young people. The center provides adolescents, especially teenage mothers with Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) information and services, whilst offering the much needed, life-sustaining nutrition to the children and livelihood skills to the mothers themselves.
The Medical Director of the Ussher Polyclinic, Dr. Amo-Mensah in his opening remarks appreciated UNFPA for their immense support to the clinic. He observed that UNFPA’s innovative package to the center will attract a lot more of the adolescents to the clinic where they will be provided with quality Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) and youth-friendly services. “The high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) among adolescents in the community is a challenge that needs urgent attention and I am hopeful that the services of the clinic will help reduce SRH problems” says Dr. Amoo-Mensah
UNFPA Country Representative, Niyi Ojuolape reiterated that UNFPA focuses on empowering young people to equip them in making the right choices in life.
Aside the support to the center, the Country Representative hopes to reach out to a school in the community as a model school for development to reflect work of the UN agency.
At the ceremony was Hon. Nii Lante Vanderpuye, Member of Parliament for the Odododiodio constituency where the clinic is located, he acknowledged UNFPA’s effort to improve the health status as well as empowering the young people in the community.
He advised young people to be morally upright to enable them stay heathy and contribute to the development of the community and the country at large. He also appealed to intensify the involvement of the parliamentarians in their mandate delivery.
Dora Agyei, a beneficiary of the youth friendly services by the adolescent unit in the Ussher Polyclinic shared her experience, “Whenever I visit the clinic, the nurses in the adolescent unit counsel me on my sexual health, this information really help me in making decisions and choices”.
Present at the event was Nii Ardayifio II a representative of the Gbese Mantse, he commended UNFPA for their interest in providing quality health care for the youth in the community. He admonished the youth to desist from drug abuse and focus on their education since, it is a core factor in their development. He challenged the youth to aspire to become useful and responsible citizens.
