Healthcare providers play a crucial role in safeguarding the well-being of community members, and a recent training session has emphatically focused on young adolescents.
The Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs has taken decisive action by partnering with key development organizations to launch a national training initiative aimed at strengthening adolescent healthcare in Saint Lucia.
This training session brought together a diverse group of dedicated medical professionals who are determined to enhance service delivery for the nation’s youth.
During the training, a strong emphasis was placed on implementing the National Standards for Quality Healthcare Services for Adolescents. These standards are essential to guarantee that young people across the island receive care that is safe, confidential, evidence-based, and responsive to their distinct needs.
The training sessions were conducted in collaboration with UN Women, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the Build Back Equal Project, taking place at the Ministry of Infrastructure’s Conference Room in Union.
A specialist for Sexual and Reproductive Health Commodity Security from UNFPA stated that the newly adopted standards ensure that adolescents receive proper, consistent, and appropriate care.
“These standards represent a crucial step forward in guaranteeing that adolescents receive the quality care they deserve,” declared Ogwuche Odo, the UNFPA specialist.
He also highlighted, “The Ministry of Health has established the Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRA) technical working group to enhance the coordination of sexually active health interventions across the island. This kind of leadership is vital to ensure that standards are not only adhered to but are effectively implemented.”
Dr. Tonia Frame, a UNFPA consultant, made it clear that the standards align with the World Health Organisation (WHO) quality standards for adolescent healthcare services and encompass a wide range of healthcare services tailored specifically for young people.
“There are eight standards. For instance, the first standard focuses on Health Literacy—ensuring that adolescents possess adequate knowledge of the information provided to them and know where to access services,” Dr. Frame asserted.
“An equally important aspect of this training is ensuring that providers are competent in managing adolescents in both age-appropriate and culturally appropriate ways,” she said.
Jeanette Joseph, a Sexual and Reproductive Health Nurse at the Vieux Fort Wellness Centre, affirmed that this training addresses long-standing gaps in the accessibility and inclusiveness of services for adolescents within the current system.
“This training is vital because our adolescents have been sidelined and neglected in the services we provide. While services exist, they are not effectively accessible to them,” she emphasized. “This training will guide our policies, make them more inclusive, and enable us to deliver better care for adolescents.”
The training initiative strongly supports the Ministry’s broader goals of eliminating barriers to care, promoting healthier lifestyles, and fostering a supportive healthcare system for future generations.
R.A.