Maitri Clinics in Maharashtra see a surge in registrations, offering vital healthcare and counseling services for adolescents | Representative Photo
Mumbai: Maitri clinics, a government initiative to help adolescents smoothly navigate the emotional and physical changes, are growing in popularity. The number of youth getting registered at these facilities have doubled since 2023.
While 11,70,020 youth registered in April 2022- March 2023, according to the public health department, the figure peaked to 23,64,876 till October 2024. These clinics have been strategically set up in select medical facilities at district, sub-district and rural levels.
Adolescence, a critical phase of life marked by significant physical, emotional and mental changes, often brings challenges for teenagers, said Dr Swapnil Lale, health services director.
“The public health department has launched Maitri clinics across Maharashtra, offering counseling and healthcare services tailored to adolescents. With 958 clinics established statewide, these facilities are proving to be a dependable resource for teenagers,” he added.
Each clinic is staffed with expert doctors and counsellors who provide guidance on physical, mental, emotional and sexual health, nutrition, pre-marital counseling and family planning methods. Medical check-ups and treatments are also available.
The doctor further said that spanning the ages of 10 to 19, this phase is characterised by physical, emotional, sexual and behavioural changes. “Addressing the questions and challenges arising during this period with a scientific approach can positively shape their future. All information shared by adolescents remains strictly confidential,” Dr Lale said.
Maitri clinics also offer outreach programmes to engage adolescents through essay competitions, debates and health awareness events in schools. “To further promote adolescent health awareness at the grassroots level, 37,338 peer educators have been appointed. They conduct village-level activities such as organising behavioral change and educational communication sessions,” Dr Lale said.
Numbers Speak
April 2022 to March 2023
11,70,020
Adolescents registered
11,30,468
Received healthcare services
12,62,905
Received counselling services
April 2023 to October 2024
23,64,876
Adolescents registered
22,16,386
Received healthcare services
23,57,804
Received counseling services
