The Ministry of Health has confirmed that it has been making contraceptives available to some children under 16 years, as part of its reproductive health policy.

According to Professor Peter Figueroa, chief of epidemiology and HIV/AIDS in the Ministry of Health, data from the ministry indicated that the age at which more than 50 per cent of young people, particularly boys, become sexually active is under 16 years.

He was careful to point out, however, that the contraceptives are only issued to the minors after counselling sessions were conducted.

The Reproductive Health Policy Guidelines For Health Professionals, which has been in place since 2004, makes provisions, among other things, for the counselling of adolescents on issues of sexuality.

Protective policy

Professor Figueroa told The Gleaner Power 106 News Centre that the policy was also geared towards protecting sexually-active teenagers against the deadly HIV/AIDS epidemic.

"If a minor comes to a health provider and the health provider cannot convince the minor to abstain from sex then the provider is free to advise on contra-ceptives and supply contraceptives to ensure the minor does not get an unwanted pregnancy or a sexually transmitted infection or HIV," he explained, following a National AIDS Committee-sponsored seminar on the weekend. The seminar was entitled HIV/AIDS: The Legal Response.

According to Professor Figueroa, parents and guardians are usually invited to attend the counselling sessions.

However, he said in instances where the minor does not wish to have his or her parents involved, and if the minor cannot be convinced to practice abstinence, contraceptives are then offered.

Dr. Peaches McDonald, Executive Director of the National Family Planning Board, which was instrumental in developing the policy, says the response from healthcare workers has been generally positive.

She was unable, however, to provide data on how many minors had been issued with contraceptives since the implementation of the policy, as according to her, the National Family Planning Board had not done any survey on the issue.

And Children's Advocate, Mary Clarke, in expressing support for the Ministry's policy, noted that "it is in keeping with the provisions of the Child Care and Protection Act and is in the best interest of the child".