The state health society has decided to open yuva clinics in 20 districts to help youths deal with issues like nutrition and sexual health.
At present, youths aged between 10 and 18 years can go to yuva clinics at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) and Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH), and primary health centres in Darbhanga, Gaya and Vaishali districts. Around 150 youths visit the clinics at PMCH and NMCH every month.
Officials of the state health society are hopeful that the response to the new clinics would be good and the older ones would draw more people.
“Every new initiative takes time to show results. We are hopeful that our yuva clinics would get a good response soon,” said Rupali Tripathi, consultant, state health society.
She added: “We have already trained 1,400 auxiliary nurses and midwives and 400 doctors to work at the new yuva clinics. The doctors will not only treat the youths for different ailments, along with the nurses, they will also provide counselling to the adolescents.
“Our yuva clinics at the PMCH, the NMCH and the primary health centre have got a good response. But we want to expand the ambit of their operations and reach out to more people. So we have decided to open more yuva clinics.”
The youth clinics are an innovative project of the National Rural Health Mission. Adolescents are given free consultation about changes in their body because of hormonal realignment.
“The adolescents are also made aware of family planning measures so that they can have a healthy life after becoming adults,” said Tripathi.
Those visiting the clinics also learn about the ill effects of using drugs.
“All services provided at the clinics are for free,” said Tripathi. “Doctors conduct routine check-up of youths. They are also given iron and vitamin tablets.”
At the primary health centres, one room would be reserved for the yuva clinic. There would be a waiting area also where books and posters related to adolescent issues would be displayed.
Visitors would also be provided pocket books on reproductive health and sexual behaviour that they might feel shy asking.
“Our counsellors would try to break the ice with adolescents so that they can open up and state their problems,” said Tripathi.
