THIS Women’s Month, #Keready is advocating for the importance of young women’s health.
#Keready’s team of ten young doctors, 95 nurses, 50 communicators and drivers, and more a hundred mobilisers ensure that the young people in four provinces; Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape have access to the health services they need.
Forty-six mobile health units are set up to offer health checks, to screen and test for a variety of conditions, such as sexually transmitted infections, blood pressure, diabetes, and HIV.
In addition, these units are also available for young women to ask any questions they have about their body, menstruation, pregnancy or birth control. The women can also WhatsApp a doctor 24/7 on 060 019 0000.
#Keready is on a mission to ensure that young people are equipped with the knowledge and resources they need to look after their health. By taking advantage of the services offered by #Keready the young women are empowered to take charge of their health and make informed decisions.
As a youth movement dedicated to improving healthcare access and healthcare-seeking behaviour among young people, the #Keready doctors, who are themselves youth, understand the importance of engaging with young women on their own terms.
Through unconventional marketing campaigns, such as TikTok challenges, podcasts, and WhatsApp messages, and through their 46 mobile health unit teams that visit schools and community centres, #Keready has seen a significant increase in weekly health-checks among young people.
One of the doctors, Dr Saira Carim emphasised to young women that their health is wealth, “So don’t neglect regular check-ups, but rather come see us now.”
Another doctor, Dr Dakalo Munenyiwa said many young women are going through big changes, and this is an important time to take care of themselves and look after their sexual reproductive health.
Dr Siyanda Mgangato encouraged women to prioritize themselves and plan that check-up today.