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Youth Friendly Centre
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- Published: 04 January 2012
Youth Friendly Centre
INTRODUCTION
The University of Port Harcourt Youth Friendly Centre was commissioned in November, 2004 during the Nigeria Universities Games hosted by University of Port Harcourt, in response to the request from the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) that the Government should establish a Youth Friendly Centre (YFC) in Nigeria Universities as a means of fighting the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) working in partnership with ECO Bank established Youth Friendly Centre in most Nigerian Universities.
MISSION OF THE YOUTH FRIENDLY CENTRE:
1. Provide a setting for the dissemination of information on HIV/AIDS, other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and related issues.
2. Create a friendly environment that would promote interactive dialogue on such topics as HIV/AIDS, other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and related issues.
3. To collaborate with other stakeholders on the provision of care and support for students living with HIV/AIDS.
4. Train Peer educators through Workshops, Seminars, and Conferences.
5. To institute a comprehensive Health Education model that includes sexuality education, prevention of sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and Teenage Unwanted Pregnancy (TUP) as well as HIV/AIDS, Conflict resolution and violence prevention services.
6. Establish a linkage with external organizations, both nationally and internationally.
OUR VISION:
1. To prevent the spread of HIV virus amongst the students on campus.
2. To detect the carriers of the HIV virus and help them to live healthy in order to prevent development of AIDS.
3. To train successive generations of youths who are empowered to understand and participate in the prevention of ill-health, promotion and sustenance of activities geared towards healthy living, decent human conduct, and good leadership qualities.
4. To influence behavioural changes in the youths.
5. Promote and sustain commitment to pro-social and pro-health activities.
SUB UNITS
The Youth Friendly Centre has three basic sub units as recommended in the UNICEF/WHO criteria 2000 for the establishment of Adolescents/Youth Friendly Services. These are;
An educational and Communication section as provided by the Resource Library in which
relevant simple, short and straight forward information is made available; A livelihood skills
acquisition package and life skills training; A comprehensive health education model that
included sexuality education; Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections and teenage
unwanted pregnancy as well as HIV and AIDS, Conflict resolution and violence prevention
services.
Health and life style section which provides general health services, treatment and
counseling services and a proper referral system for care and support when the HIV test is
positive.
A recreational section which comprises games like chess, scrabble, monopoly,
Ludo, and Table Tennis.
OUR SERVICES:
Services of the Youth Friendly Centre include the following:
1. Pre-test and Post-test Counselling
2. HIV Testing
3. Care and Support of HIV positive cases in collaboration with other stakeholders
4. Prevention of sexual violence, crimes and unwanted pregnancy
5. Comprehensive Adolescent sexuality package
6. Livelihood Skills acquisition Package
7. Conflict Resolution Skills
8. Nutrition and Exercise Advice
9. Provision of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials through a resource library section.
10. Provision of re-creational activities such as Chess, Ludo, Monopoly and Scrabble
11. Community Services to secondary schools in the environment as part of our social responsibilities.
ACTIVITIES OF THE YOUTH FRIENDLY CENTRE:
The activities include:
Counselling on HIV and other issues that pertain to the welfare of the young person.
HIV Testing
The YFC has been involved in the pre-registration exercise of the first year students. Efforts had been made to get free HIV Test Kits from different quarters including State Agency for the Control of AIDS (SACA); and National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA).
>Nutritional Counselling
STAFF STRENGTH:
The YFC does not have as streamlined staff strength. The number of staff depends on the needs of the centre.
However, we have in place the following:
The Coordinator
The Assistant Coordinator
The Chief Health Officer
The Administrative Officer
The Programme Officer(IEC)
The Programme Officer (M&E)
Consellors
Lab Scientist
Cybercafé Manager
Care-takers.
COLLABORATION WITH OTHER CENTRES/AGENCIES OUTSIDE THE UNIVERSITY:
We have a good collaboration with the following:
National Agency for the Control of AIDS –NACA
The Agency had provided us with Tee-Shirts & face caps which were used to mark the World AIDS day on Dec1, 2010.
They have provided us with free HIV test kits for the pre-registration exercise of the first year students.
State Agency for the Control of AIDS- SACA
They have also provided us with free HIV test kits for the pre-registration exercise of the first year students.
Centre for Health and Development (CHD), University of Port Harcourt
The centre has equipped our Counsellors with better counseling skills through periodic trainings.
ECO bank
Institute of Petroleum Studies (IPS), University of Port Harcourt
Dr. Chinwe. T. Ezirim Mrs. Ifeoma Ofurum
Co-ordinator Administrative Officer
08064689151 08033392805, 08152017997
E-mail: dr.ctezirim@ yahoo.com E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.