Africa-Press – Mauritius. The Ministry of Health and Wellness organised, yesterday, a Consultation workshop on adolescent health, at Voilà Hotel in Bagatelle, aimed at elaborating a Health Plan targeting adolescents, aged between 11 and 19, to ensure their optimal physical, psychological and social development.
The Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Kailesh Kumar Singh Jagutpal, was present at the opening ceremony of the workshop, which brought together various stakeholders, including youngsters.
In his address, the Minister recalled that adolescence was a stage of life characterised by physical, psychological, sexual, emotional, and social development and that the lifestyle choices of teenagers at this period would pre-determine their health as an adult.
According to Dr Jagutpal, young people should learn of the changes in the mind body, and social relationships in order for them to develop their self-esteem and feel good about themselves.
The Minister encouraged the youth participating in the workshop to provide their views and proposals as ultimately, the adolescent health plan would be designed to ensure their physical, social and emotional well-being and provide early and efficient treatment, when required.
Dr Jagutpal urged them to encompass in their reflections several topics impacting young people such as disabilities, chronic conditions, psychiatric illnesses, teenage pregnancies, substance abuse, and HIV/AIDS.
“Those topics should be addressed without taboo to prevent stigmatisation,” he said.
Stressing that the purpose of his Ministry is to promote health through the life course, Dr Jagutpal stated that specific Health Plans should be elaborated to suit the needs of each and every one.
He was of the view that the contribution of the adolescents to the elaboration of such a plan would enable the Ministry to review its activities and build on its strength for more effective plans and measures.
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