Teenagers and young people are encouraged to make greater use of the health services available at Rabie Ridge Clinic.

Professional nurse Precious ‘Sister Mgani’ Maluleka said the clinic provides a range of sexual and reproductive health services aimed at helping young people make informed decisions and prevent teenage pregnancies.

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“We offer family planning because what we want is a generation of children that will grow up to be ladies without having children while they are children themselves,” said Maluleka.

She said the clinic provides various contraceptive options, including oral contraceptive pills, implants and intrauterine devices (IUDs).

The contraceptive implant, which is inserted into the non-dominant arm, protects against pregnancy for up to three years, while an IUD can protect for up to five years.

Maluleka said young people should also understand that contraceptives do not protect against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

“Remember, when you are on any kind of family planning device, it doesn’t prevent you from contracting HIV,” she said.

The clinic also offers HIV prevention services, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which can reduce the risk of contracting HIV when taken correctly.

Maluleka said the clinic provides daily oral PrEP as well as the six-monthly injectable option, lenacapavir. Condoms, including male and female condoms, are also available to help prevent both HIV transmission and unintended pregnancies.

“Before any of that, we actually advise you to abstain. We are advocating for PrEP, which prevents you from contracting HIV…”

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She urged teenagers to take responsibility for their health and make use of the services available to them. Professional nurse Senana Mokoana said the clinic provides a broader range of services, including emergency services, family planning, PrEP, mental health support, physiotherapy, psychology and chronic illness management.

He encouraged community members to make use of the services, saying access to healthcare is a right.

“Everyone has a right to access health services from Monday to Saturday, but you have to bring your identity document as we are using HPRS [Health Patient Registration System], which is linked nationally,” said Mokoana.

The clinic generally operates during weekday daytime hours, although operating schedules may vary according to municipal arrangements. Residents are encouraged to confirm the clinic’s current operating hours before visiting.

Young people are encouraged not to hesitate to approach the clinic for confidential information, advice, and appropriate healthcare services.

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