YCSN-Uganda is cognizant of the fact that 75% of the diseases in Uganda are preventable and therefore preventive and good health practices need to be promoted. This calls for a participatory approach where communities are enabled to identify their health needs, rights and impediments to good health. In this line YCSN-Uganda has implemented programmes aimed at improving children, youth and people’s knowledge on all Sexual Reproductive Health aspects, Maternal Child Health, specifically immunization, nutritional aspects.
YCSN-Uganda’s health strategy is intended to guide mobilization of commitment and support maternal and child health services and their providers in Uganda as well as contribute to the attainment of 4th and 5th Millennium Development Goals. Besides, the strategy will contribute to concerted efforts in place towards the reduction of infant, child and maternal mortality. YCSN-Uganda is also aware that health is central to all the MDG’s in that productive life is key in their realization. The right to health is central to YCSN-Uganda’s health interventions.
YCSN-Uganda’s strategy on health interventions is designed in such a way that it addresses the imbalances in decision making at the household level, autonomy on reproductive health issues, availability of women friendly HIV barrier methods, all of which continue to pose a threat to the health of children, adolescents and women. Major emphasis among others is placed on sexual health, reproductive health, malaria prevention and HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support. These efforts compliment the Ministry of Health Strategic Investment towards reduction of infant and child morbidity and mortality, incidence and prevalence rates in HIV/AIDS and malaria.
Key Project Activities
- Create awareness on issues of sexual reproductive health and rights(SRHR), nutrition, HIV/AIDS, and related policies with a view of understanding and influencing them.
- To build coalitions and alliances for sexual reproductive health and rights(SRHR), malaria, nutrition, and HIV/AIDS services at Division, Districts, national and international level through advocacy and lobbying geared at policy influencing.
- Identify, refer, follow up and provide psycho-social support and food supplements to at least 50% of the targeted communities infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, malaria, maternal and child health related problems.
- Document and disseminate best practices and lessons learnt in engaging the targeted communities in HIV/AIDS, sexual and reproductive health, nutrition, malaria and health rights.
- Community sensitization and empowerment in health issues through health camps and trainings
- Facilitating interface between community members, policy makers and health service providers.
- To promote maternal hygiene through training of adolescent girls in making of reusable sanitary pads and providing basic information on good maternal hygiene practices.