Buyende, Uganda: Buyende District leaders have applauded the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy (PROAP) project for significantly improving adolescent health outcomes as the programme officially phases out this December after two years of implementation.
The project, funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and implemented by Plan International Uganda in partnership with Buyende District Local Government, has been running since April 2023 in the sub-counties of Gumpi, Irundu, Ngando and Kagulu.
According to district officials, PROAP has driven major improvements, including a reduction in teenage pregnancies from 28% to 23.5%, training of Village Health Teams and health workers, formulation of a by-law to combat teenage pregnancy in Gumpi Sub-county, establishment of youth-friendly corners in health facilities, and strengthened sexual and reproductive health services for adolescents.
Speaking at the closeout meeting held at the district headquarters, Buyende LCV Chairperson Kanaku Michael commended Plan International for transforming the lives of young people.
“Before the project, our district had high rates of school dropout, teenage mothers and teenage pregnancies. Buyende has been among the top five districts with the highest number of teenage mothers in the country. Your intervention has helped us a lot because now we have girls staying in school, performing better, and even attaining first grades,” he said.
District Planner Mr Mugulusi Gideon urged all departmental heads to sustain the momentum created by the project.
“As a district, we ask all department heads to continue implementing the activities introduced by Plan International so that we completely end teenage pregnancy. We also ask Plan International to document and profile the statistics so we can follow their legacy,” he said.
Success Stories and Stakeholder Voices
During the closeout meeting, beneficiaries and implementing partners shared testimonies on how the project has improved adolescent sexual and reproductive health.
Mr. Mudenya Eria, In-charge of Bugaya Health Centre IV, said the project equipped adolescents with vital SRHR knowledge and confidence. “Girls from Primary Five to Senior Two used to be ignorant about their body changes, which exposed them to early pregnancy. Now they understand and practise healthy behaviours,” he said.
Senior CDO Mr Isabirye Denis highlighted the training of peer educators, health workers and VHTs, improved youth access to health facilities, and the creation of local by-laws as key achievements.
Project Manager Mr. Njeho Vicente recommended that the district integrates out-of-school adolescents into income-generating activities, financial literacy training and government development programmes. He also urged health workers, police and community services departments to collaborate closely to maintain youth-friendly services.
He further called for youth-friendly corners in all health facilities and consistent supply of equipment and medicines to support adolescent health.
The PROAP project was designed to reduce teenage pregnancy by strengthening adolescent-friendly, gender-responsive and inclusive SRHR services; improving adolescents’ knowledge and decision-making; and promoting positive community and parental support to dismantle harmful social norms.
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