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ADOLESCENT FRIENDLY HEALTH SERVICES (AFHS)
Health services can help to meet adolescent needs, only if they are part of a comprehensive programme. Adolescents need:
- A safe and supportive environment that offers protection and opportunities for development,
- Information and skills to understand and interact with the world,
- Health services and counselling — to address their health problems and deal with personal difficulties.
- Health care providers alone cannot meet all these needs. They can join or create networks that act together and maximize resources.
- A package of basic health services must be tailored to local needs, including growth and development monitoring and immunization.
- Reproductive health services, counselling and voluntary testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections are a high priority in some places.
- Mental health services and counselling are important elements to support adolescents. Health services are only part of the answer — there is a need for support from caring adults.
- There is no single ‘fixed menu’ suitable for every country. Each country must develop its own package, according to economic, epidemiological and social circumstances.
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