By Charles Gbayor, charlesmenlor@gmail.com
Harper, Liberia- Medical Teams International Liberia and UNFPA has launched nine-month project code named, Empower and Fulfilled in three southeastern counties.
Officials of the two organizations say the project will positively touch Grand Gedeh, River Gee and Grand Kru
Giving the over view of the project, MTI Programs Director George Kaine Jr. said the proposed initiative will mainly focused on adolescent and Sexual Reproductive health services, through Sexuality, Education, Youth Friendly Services, and communication strategies are major machineries of the project funded by UNFPA.
The project also seeks to improve sexual reproductive health services to meet the needs of youth and adolescent in selected areas.
He indicated that twenty three youth friendly centers will be constructed as part of the project in the southeastern region and will be implemented at health facilities, schools and communities, including radio interactions aimed at creating massive awareness.
The Empower and Fulfilled project will closely work with five health institutions in Grand Kru, namely Dr. Dormu Maternity hospital, Barclayville, Buah, Behwan health centers and Garraway clinic.
The launching ceremony took place on Saturday June 15, 2019 at the Sliver Key Guest house in Camp three community of Barclayville. The program brought together, MOH, MOE, MIA, Partners, Media, Youth, Women and religious leaders.
Mr. Kaine Jr. disclosed that the erection of the youth friendly centers upon completion with be handed over to the government of Liberia.
He said the centers will improve family planning services for women and girls, due to the alarming rate of teenage pregnancy in the southeast, adding went this is actualized it will reduce the burden of teenage pregnancy amongst the three counties.
The MTI Director of Programs called on beneficiaries counties to see the project as their own.
Medical Teams International is non for profiting making charity organization amongst other institutions that continues to buttress the efforts of the Health Ministry in Liberia.
Making remarks, Grand Kru County Health Officer Sianeh Jackson Mentoe hailed MTI and Support partner UNFPA for adhering to the cries of the County Health Team, as the county is graded with the highest number of teenage pregnancy in the southeast.
She described the project as timely as it will improve and reduce the indicator on teenage pregnancy percentage.
Dr. Mentoe emphasized that the locations of the Youth Friendly Centers should be female friendly that will enable been access the center without any form of fears that will prevent them of accessing family planning services. She noted the numerous contributions of MTI in toward the county’s health sector can’t be over stressed.
The CHO commits her team working closely with the project team for successful implementation.
She challenged youth, especially school going girls to make use of the services that will be provided at the centers to permit reach their full potentials in life. Health authorities says the act of teenage pregnancy are major reason that lead to complications during delivery period.
Meanwhile, Doris Ylatun, Grand Kru Superintendent welcomed the program and expressed that the implementation of the project is in line with government’s framework for quality health care system for her citizens.
She said the current government is exploring every accessible resources strategizing with partners and designing programs for the youthful population to achieve their desirable goals at the gross root levels regardless of their locations.
Superintendent Ylatun encouraged the county youth to make used of every opportunities that will be provided by both government and donors. She reaffirmed the Ministry of Internal Affairs to taking the lead to ensure that young people are end users of the project within Grand Kru.