Since 2012, Ethiopia has been working on improving the health and development of its youthful population by providing youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services.
The country has one of the highest fertility rates in Africa, with 45 percent of its population under the age of 15. Its innovative community, health worker extension programme delivers health services including family planning to clients, and Ethiopia’s health indicators continue to improve.
Across the country, the government holds dear the principle of equitable access to safe, effective, and affordable contraception and family planning services.
The Ministry of Health (MoH) and Marie Stopes International Ethiopia recently launched ‘DARGAGOOTAAF’ to men ‘For the Youths’ that aims to let the youths get the family planning services in a more productive fashion and to increase the accessibility in using the services.
Dr. Meseret Zelalem, Maternal and Child Health Directorate Director with the Ministry spoke at the launch and said that the Ministry is working actively to improving services and access the facilities to all young people at all levels across the country.
According to Zelalem, the programme has been implemented for the past two years throughout Oromia State and now it will be implemented in other states taking the best practices gained from the past experiences.
“We work closely with the Government of Ethiopia and other partners to help reduce maternal mortality rates by increasing access to quality sexual and reproductive health services.”
“Marie Stopes is providing comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services through a network of centres, more than 300 socially franchised private clinics, and outreach teams,” concluded Zelalem.
The Project is funded by Packard Foundation and will be implemented by the Ministry of Health and Marie Stopes International. The service will be given in the government’s healthcare centres, private health facilities and Marie Stopes International Ethiopia clinics.
