Get family planning, youths told

Young people are encouraged to visit family planning clinics in order to take care of their health.
A family planning officer at the Gordon Health Centre in the National Capital District, Edna Ratu, said family planning services were open for people between the ages of 15 and 25.
“Young people shouldn’t think that family planning is only for married people,” he said.
“They should come and seek counselling and advice on how to take care of themselves while being sexually active.”
Ratu said teenagers with developing hormones were at a stage when they would try out things and were usually sexually active.
She said they would encourage young people to abstain from sex but that did not work most of the time.
“At the clinic, we provide them with methods and means of taking care of themselves to avoid things like teenage pregnancy,” Ratu said.
She said it was important for young people to go for family planning services to avoid sexually transmitted diseases, teenage pregnancy and abortions.
“Young people must not be ashamed or be scared of their parents. They should come, all information here would be confidential and will not to be revealed to anyone.
“It is important for students to come and get advice on ways to avoid sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies.”
Ratu said if young people understand the importance of family planning, they would make smart decisions for their families later.