Young Voices to Guide Adolescent Health Strategy

Young people are being encouraged to take an active role in shaping policies and services that impact their health and well-being. This was the central message at the opening today of the National Youth Consultative Workshop on Adolescent Health, held at The Docks in Port Louis.

The two-day event is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), under the theme “My Voice, My Health, My Future”.

The workshop forms part of the review of the National Strategy for Adolescent Health 2024–2029. It brings together young people and key stakeholders to identify gaps in existing services and formulate recommendations to better address adolescents’ health needs.

It also provides a platform for young people, including persons with disabilities and those facing social and economic barriers, to share their experiences and propose practical measures to make health services more responsive to their needs.

Addressing participants, the Junior Minister of Health and Wellness, Mrs Anishta Babooram, called for young people to be recognised as active partners in decisions affecting their lives, rather than merely as beneficiaries of policies and programmes.

The Junior Minister moroever outlined key challenges facing adolescents, including mental health, substance use, bullying, unhealthy lifestyles, sexual and reproductive health issues, and the impact of digital technologies.

According to the Ministry’s Family Planning and Demographic Yearbook 2024, Mauritius had an estimated 145,280 adolescents aged 10 to 19, representing around 12% of the population. The publication also recorded 968 live births to mothers under 20 in 2024, including 17 to girls below the age of 15. These figures underscore the importance of adolescent health as a national public health priority.

The World Health Organization Representative to Mauritius, Dr Abdou Salam Gueye, called for sustained investment in adolescent health, with particular focus on mental health, nutrition, physical activity, sexual and reproductive health, and violence prevention.

Citing the 2017 Global School-based Student Health Survey, he pointed out that 16% of students aged 13 to 17 had seriously considered attempting suicide, highlighting the need for updated data, early identification of health concerns and accessible support services. He also stressed the importance of respectful, confidential and adolescent-friendly healthcare.

Recommendations from the two-day consultations will inform the review of the National Strategy for Adolescent Health 2024–2029 and the development of an updated implementation plan, setting out clear responsibilities, timelines and measurable indicators.