Project Launch:

The Solwa Clinic provides medical care to the surrounding ward of 25,000 residents. The center is a major source of primary medical care for the area and offers maternity care, family planning, immunizations, health education, and check-ups among other services. However, outreach to young Tanzanians has been an ongoing challenge, particularly as several social and cultural barriers, namely social stigma, embarrassment, and fear of parental punishment, have prevented adolescents from asking questions, receiving needed care, or obtaining contraceptives they need. This is especially unfortunate because adolescent Tanzanians are among the most at risk of HIV infection -- which is very high in the region -- and girls are also at high risk of early pregnancy. This project seeks to construct a youth health ward to better respond to the needs of Tanzanian teenagers who require particular care and unique approaches to engage them in the medical process.  

Progress Update: 3/29/2017

Clinicians from the Solwa Dispensary have been involved in three new education initiatives across two local primary school and one secondary school, including coming to teach at a health club, an implementation of Grassroots Soccer (an HIV/Life skills program) and an implementation of HURU (a reusable sanitary pad/menstrual health program).

Progress Update: 3/29/2017

Clinicians from the Solwa Dispensary have been involved in three new education initiatives across two local primary school and one secondary school, including coming to teach at a health club, an implementation of Grassroots Soccer (an HIV/Life skills program) and an implementation of HURU (a reusable sanitary pad/menstrual health program). Construction on the new adolescent ward will begin within the next month or so.