Oshana community gets SRH boost from the #BeFree clinic

A week-long sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outreach by the #BeFree Cares Clinic in the Oshana region last month revealed that all 772 participants who underwent HIV testing tested negative.This marked the clinic’s third outreach, following initiatives in the Khomas, Erongo and Kavango East regions.The clinic provides family planning, SRH education, HIV testing and other health services.#BeFree's Oshana outreach was held in partnership with the health ministry, Ongwediva MediPark Hospital, the Walvis Bay Corridor Group, the University of Namibia (Unam), the International University of Management (IUM), the Valombola Vocational Training Centre and the Society for Family Health.The clinic took place between 18 and 22 August and engaged a total of 949 participants across five tertiary institutions, including Unam's Oshakati campus, the Hifikepunye Pohamba and Jose Eduardo Dos Santos campuses, IUM Ongwediva Campus and the Valombola Vocational Training Centre.During the outreach, around 42 participants who were tested received treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), with vaginal discharge syndrome (VDS) being the most commonly identified condition.VDS refers to abnormal vaginal discharge caused by infections such as bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, trichomoniasis, or STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhoea. It is considered a symptom cluster rather than a single disease. In addition, 36 participants were started on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), 46 received tetanus vaccinations, 100 accessed family planning services, and seven benefited from psycho-social support services.Kavango East outreachFrom 16 to 20 June, the clinic reached five communities in the Kavango East region: Kamutjonga, Andara, Shamangorwa, Korokoko and Likwaterera.During the Kavango East outreach, 576 participants accessed a range of sexual and reproductive health services.Of these, 183 were tested for HIV, with all results returning negative, while 496 individuals sought family planning support.Among the family planning clients, 42 opted for contraceptive pills, 82 for implants and 372 for injectable methods.Additionally, 476 participants underwent pregnancy testing, 12 received tetanus vaccinations, 13 started PrEP, eight were treated for general ailments, and one family received a home visit as part of the clinic’s broader social support efforts.rita@nmh-hub.com.na

Oshana community gets SRH boost from the #BeFree clinic

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Namibian Sun 2025-10-24

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Oshana community gets SRH boost from the #BeFree clinic

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Namibian Sun 2025-10-24

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