PRIA, MAMTA and Martha Farrell Foundation, in partnership with Gurugram University and SHLC, organized the second learning circle in a three-part series that explores adolescent health access, intervention and scale from the perspective of civil society on 29 July, 2021. Titled ‘strengthening facility-based intervention to improve health outcomes among adolescents- A case of Adolescent Friendly Health Clinics (AFHC)’, the learning circle was structured around the following objectives:
- What role can AFHCs play in improving health outcomes of adolescent population with special reference to urban localities? What are the challenges thereof?
- What role can civil society play in ensuring better outreach about adolescent friendly health services to the under-served and vulnerable sections of the population, like youth living in urban informal settlements?
- What strategies can be adopted in the realm of social and behavioural change communication, so that the preference among adolescents to seek facility- based intervention for primary health needs and referral can be increased?
The detailed note of the learning circle can be accessed here.
The learning circle was attended by 35 participants and included representation from civil society organizations, academicians working on adolescent health and adolescent peer educators from Mumbai, Sitapur (UP), Gurugram and Lucknow. The session was moderated by Dr. Anshuman Karol from PRIA. The learners were joined by Mr. Ram Aravind (PRIA), Ms. Leena Uppal (MAMTA), Dr. Rama Shyam (SNEHA), Dr. Neelam Singh (Vatsalya), Dr. Manish Thakre (Save the Children) and Dr.KG Santhya (Population Council). Besides expert opinion on the topic, peer educators enlightened the learners with their perspectives about AFHC from the grassroot.
Fig. Adolescent peer educator from Mumbai, Shraddha, speaks about the current status of implementation of AFHC
Key take-aways
- Decentralized planning is essential for effective implementation of RKSK scheme and should be built into the protocol.
- Lack of human resources has affected effective implementation of the scheme.
There is room for innovations to augment the resources. Research has shown effectiveness of training semi-skilled workers to support the health system. Civil society can provide the much-needed capacity building and technical support.
- Considering the over burden on frontline health workers and emphasis of health systems on pandemic management, civil society can work towards or advocate for integrating technology into the protocol of the scheme
- In addition to targeting behavioural change of adolescents through the RKSK scheme, there is also a need to bring those who influence the adolescents (mothers and peers) into the scheme of things.
- Advocacy with regard to gaps identified, by civil society, could contribute to better health outcomes among adolescents.
The detailed report of the learning circle can be accessed here.
The video recording of the learning circle can be accessed here.
