NAMIBIA: Programmes on AIDS and sex education scarce in rural areas

A senior Namibian government official has expressed concern over the scarcity of programmes on HIV/AIDS prevention and sex education in rural areas, and the resulting negative impact on young people.

Pohamba Shifeta, the Deputy Minister for Youth, National Service, Sports and Culture, said the lack of services in parts of the country was preventing youngsters from making vital decisions concerning sexual and reproductive health.

"Our aim as youth workers is to prioritise youth health as the most important addendum to all our programmes, especially by putting more emphasis on how to protect our youth against the danger of HIV/AIDS," the local Namibian newspaper quoted Shifeta as saying.

Shifeta stressed that his ministry would like to see a situation where "youth-friendly" services were accessible throughout the country.

Theme (s): Care/Treatment - PlusNews,

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