The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Reproductive Health Uganda-RHU has launched an online platform to respond to sexual and reproductive health questions. The platform is also designed to increase access to health-related information among young people who have largely been affected by the Covid-19 lockdown.
“Ask RHU” is a Facebook messenger based-chat that provides instant response to questions on sexual reproductive health rights information and services-SRHR.
According to Fortunate Kagumaho, the communications coordinator at RHU, the timely innovation was developed by a group of youth with the purpose of addressing information gaps in areas of reproductive health. He says the country has also been hit by shocking numbers of teenage pregnancies, which he attributes to lack of access to sexual reproductive health information and services.
Daisy Kandole, the Youth Assistant at RHU says social media has become an integral part of how people communicate arguing that one of the fastest ways to reach out to majorly the youth is through the use of social media.
Kandole adds that the Ask RHU also provides confidentiality to the users, adding that many young people shy away from accessing increased access to sexual reproductive health information in fear of public perception.
Hussein Abu, National President Youth in Action says information and communication technology presents an important platform for enhancing the reach and effectiveness of SRHR programming.
However, Abu is advocating for improved access to the internet in rural communities and reduced internet rates so that it can be affordable for young people.
According to the internet world statistics, Uganda has over 3 million Facebook subscribers out of 23 million who are on the internet as of December 2021.
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