Youth center on sexual health “I want to know” opened

Free gynecological check-ups and counseling on HIV/AIDS

The first Youth center on sexual and reproductive health “I want to know” was open last month in Skopje. It is designed for the marginalized groups of young people who have no social and health insurance and no easy approach to the health organizations. It was opened on the initiative of the Health Education and Research Organization – H.E.R.A. and the International Federation for Family Planning from Brussels, and supported by the Health Centre – Skopje. In several European countries there are youth centers of this kind, and one of the most distinguished examples is the Brook Centre in Great Britain. The Youth Centre will be opened from Monday to Friday in the period between 12.00 and 17.00. It is located at a specially adjusted part in the health center Vodno. It provides services that seek anonymity and high level of confidence. The need for such a separated,  confidential and free service is very big, since the HIV/AIDS is unstoppably growing worldwide. The goal of the project is to provide approach to the marginalized individuals and to influence their health habits. The Centre “I want to know” employs a team of experts who offer gynecological check-ups and counseling, free contraception and therapy and psychosocial counseling. It also provides consultations on sexual and reproductive health, education of students and teachers, free educational material, consultations and testing on HIV/AIDS, as well as an info-telephone line.

 

S.N.