The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) has launched an adolescent-friendly health service at Al Rayyan, West Bay and Madinat Khalifa health centres.

The service aims at improving health outcomes of adolescents through the prevention and management of identified risk factors such as accidents, Non-Communicable Diseases, risky behaviours, mental health and adolescent reproductive health. The adolescent-friendly health service is among the priorities of the National Primary Health Care Strategy.

“The programme aims at detecting health-related problems among adolescents at an early stage”, stated Dr. Sadriya al-Kohji, head of Child and Adolescent Health, PHCC.

It provides high-quality health care that can be accessed in a timely manner, acceptable, appropriate and effective for adolescents, in cooperation with other key stakeholders, which include the family, community, school, government and private institutions.”

She also stated that the staff providing the service have undergone extensive training to ensure it is delivered by experts and specialist consultants in adolescent health.

“The detection of health-related problems among adolescents is done through the assessment of health status, measurement of the growth standards, clinical examination, vision screening and anaemia. It will also include an assessment of difficulties faced by the adolescent at home within the family environment, problems within the school setting, and learning difficulties.”

“Risky behaviours, such as overuse or misuse of social media, and mental illnesses, including depression, hyperactivity, autism, anorexia nervosa, addiction, violence, will be assessed, along with sexual and reproductive health. The service promotes healthy behaviour and interaction between adolescents and their parents or guardians, according to evidence-based best practices.

"All adolescents accessing these health centres for any medical issue will be given a subsequent appointment to benefit from the service. Health care providers within PHCC will obtain parental consent prior to the appointment and the provision of the service," Dr al-Kohji added.

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