Learners from Kutumela Molifi Primary School in Mamelodi will now have access to primary healthcare at the school premises.

Vhathu Phanda Community Forum, together with private health practitioners and law enforcement agencies, established a School Teen Clinic for the school on Friday.

Thabo Moshabelo from the forum said the clinic is a friendly facility for learners aimed at tackling issues that learners face in their daily school lives, like bullying, health wellness, GBV, teenage pregnancies, and substance abuse.

Moshabelo said they have partnered with the health department, social workers, retired nurses and the police.

“We are dealing with issues that are preventable. [The clinic] will be stationed at the school Monday to Friday to resolve minor injuries through mostly retired nurses.”

The clinic will also be dealing with issues that cause school absenteeism.

“The clinic is aimed at providing a safe, confidential, supportive health space that empowers learners to make healthy choices and reach their full potential,” said Moshabelo.

“We have partnered with various stakeholders such as dentists, optometrists, social workers, retired nurses and law enforcement agencies with one common understanding that teenagers face unique challenges such as mental health, substance abuse and social pressures.”

He said the clinic will reduce the stigma and resolve issues at an early stage.

The clinic’s key objectives are health and wellness, education and empowerment, protection and prevention and lastly, school performance and retention.

Moshabelo added that they want to provide accessible primary healthcare by treating minor injuries and illnesses at the school premises, counselling and mental health awareness on bullying, stress, substance abuse prevention, grief and peer pressure.

“We will also be training learners to become health ambassadors and spread positive messages among their peers. The clinic will also provide a safe space for learners to report GBV and abuse.”

He said vulnerable learners, especially those who come from disadvantaged families, informal settlements and child-headed families, will receive support.

Deputy Principal TJ Maseko said they have been working with Vhathu Phanda Community Forum for the past few years.

The school provided two offices for the clinic, which stakeholders prepared by cleaning and painting as part of celebrating Mandela Month.

Maseko said the establishment of the new healthcare service will be very helpful because most of the learners come from poor backgrounds and unemployment is rife.

“Most of the children don’t have access to primary healthcare. This will go a long way to help our children.”

He thanked the forum and all the stakeholders involved for bringing the much-needed services to our school.

He added that the clinic will boost learners’ confidence and make them look forward to coming to school every day.

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