On the occasion of International Youth Day on Thursday, the Delhi State AIDS Control Society (DSACS) opened a Youth Friendly Health Centre (YFHC) in the Jamia Milia Islamia University (JMIU) campus which will inform and educate the youth on and around the campus about HIV/AIDS.

Delhi health minister Kiran Walia inaugurated the centre and said that it will be beneficial to the youth as many hesitate to talk with their parents or other family members about HIV/AIDS. 

“AIDS has stigma attached and many people still feel shy to talk about condoms. The health centre has a big challenge ahead as many adolescents are not aware about HIV/AIDS,” Walia said.

The YFHC will have a doctor, one female counsellor and one male counsellor from DSACS on duty. The centre also has the facility to conduct blood tests, the results for which will be confidential and will be out in a day. Free condoms will also be provided to students at the centre and their privacy will be assured.

DSACS project director Faizi O Hashmi said that the young have their fears and inhibitions. They are most vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases. This centre at JMIU will be accessible, affordable and very appropriate for them.

“We will evaluate the performance of the centre in six months and will see how to address the issues better. We hope to prevent teenage pregnancies, illegal abortion and spread awareness on maternal mortality and infant mortality too through this centre,” said Hashmi.

A website was also launched by DSACS which provides information on HIV/AIDS, contraceptive use, drug abuse besides other things.

Delhi health department’s secretary Rajendra Kuamr and mission director of Delhi state health mission Dr Jayadev Sarangi were also present at the inaugural function.

The United Nations General Assembly in December 2009 declared August 12 to be celebrated as International Youth Day. Youth is defined by the United Nations as anyone between the age group of 15 and 24 years.