| Date 29-Jul-2021 to 29-Jul-2021 |
Location Virtual |
Format National |
The pandemic has exposed inequalities and gaps in access to health care for vulnerable sections of the population. Health systems were burdened with rising number of COVID-19 cases and to stem the tide, medical and human resources were diverted towards addressing the acute shortage of beds and oxygen cylinders. However, diversion of existing resources mandated under different Government schemes towards COVID-19 management was indicative of higher priority accorded to the pandemic over other medical emergencies, resulting in postponement, delay or even neglect of basic medical care for those who sought treatment for other ailments. For example, the frontline health workers (ASHA/ANM) in many states were allocated vaccination duties in 2021 by the state, as the second wave of pandemic intensified resulting in deaths. Similarly, several other medical procedures were postponed or delayed by hospitals across India to accommodate the COVID-19 cases.
Against this context, it is important to look at the different health facilities and the beneficiaries; how can health systems catering to different sections of vulnerable population ensure continuity in care and scale up their operations to meet the increasing demand on services? As the pandemic spread through India, there was heavy restriction placed on mobility and social interaction. The consequences of coercive pandemic management procedures were borne indirectly and directly by different sections of the population, notably adolescents and youth. High school drop-out rates to engage in domestic work, inability to afford digital technology to continue education, domestic violence and mental health disorders were among the consequences of COVID-19 on adolescents and youth. In addition to diminishing opportunities surrounding education and physical activity like sports, they were also seen to be increasingly excluded from health systems and health care. Development practitioners were of the opinion that the sudden incidence of pandemic threatens to reverse decades of progress achieved with respect to sexual and reproductive health in India. In order to avoid a relapse, the health systems need to be capacitated to ensure sustainability in facility-based intervention.
Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) was launched on January 7, 2014, in order to ensure universal coverage to adolescents in the age group of 10-14 years and 15-19 years. The scheme has provisions to enable establishment of Adolescent Friendly Health Clinics to cater to diverse needs of adolescents, in order to ensure comprehensive and equitable access to adolescent-specific health needs. However, a recent study by PRIA, University of Glasgow and Gurugram University showed poor levels of awareness among adolescent boys and girls living in urban informal settlements in Gurugram. Similar results were reported from study conducted in Jharkhand, which showed dismal awareness about AFHC among the participants. The PRIA study even reported low preference among adolescents to seek treatment from Adolescent Friendly Health Clinics, in the event of medical emergencies. Considering the pandemic situation that has impaired health systems and poor health-seeking behaviour among adolescents, it is imperative to explore ways in which adolescent engagement with AFHCs can be strengthened, so that more beneficiaries become aware as well as benefit from the services. Strengthening facility-base intervention is an important step in the right direction, which will ensure that progress of decades, achieved with respect to adolescent health are not compromised or lost.
Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA), New Delhi, MAMTA–Health Institute for Mother and Child (MAMTA-HIMC), New Delhi and Martha Farrell Foundation (MFF), New Delhi, in partnership with Gurugram University, Gurugram and Centre for Sustainable, Healthy and Learning Cities and Neighbourhoods, Glasgow University organised an online Learning Circle on July 29 (Thursday), 2021, from 04.00 PM to 05.30 PM.
The objective of the learning circle (LC) was to enable intra-civil society conversations around revising existing strategies and policies of working with adolescents, while adjusting and altering interventions to suit the needs of the post-pandemic environment. The LC also provided a platform to CSOs to share their learnings, strategies and plans to engage with health systems related to adolescents in the coming years. The discussions enabled the co-creation of a sustainable roadmap for civil society organisations, either working or intend to work with adolescents.
This learning circle addressed the following key questions:
4.00 pm to 4.10 pm
Welcome and Introduction to the Conversation
4.10 pm to 4.35 pm
Panel Discussion
• Dr Rama Shyam, SNEHA, Mumbai
• Mr S Ram Aravind, PRIA, New Delhi
• Ms Leena Uppal, MAMTA, New Delhi
4.35 pm to 4.45 pm
Experience sharing by Adolescents and peer educators
4.45 pm to 4.50 pm
Q&A
4.50 pm to 5.20 pm
Deep Dive Conversation
• Dr KG Santhya, Population Council, New Delhi
• Mr Manish Thakre, Save the Children, New Delhi
• Dr Neelam Singh, Vatsalya, Lucknow
5.20 pm to 5.28 pm
Key Takeaways
• Dr Anshuman Karol, PRIA, New Delhi
5.28 pm to 5.30 pm
Closure and Vote of Thanks
