​Young people in Gauteng have been encouraged to take advantage of the Adolescent Youth Friendly Services (AYFS) popularly known as Youth Zones to get help in making wiser choices when it comes to their health. 
This plea was made by MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko while addressing learners at Ibhongo Secondary School in Soweto during the Gauteng Provincial Government's Back-To-School drive on Wednesday, 15 January 2024. 
Youth Zones offer safe spaces for young people to ask questions, access counseling, and getsupport for various life challenges they may face. Thereare about 300 centres located in Community Health Centres and clinics across the province.
Young people can expect to get access to a bouquet of comprehensive services such as a range of contraceptive mix methods, STI prevention, screening and management, HIV/TB test and counselling, Choice of Termination of Pregnancy referrals, pregnancy testing, early booking, antenatal care and nutrition and dietary guidance. 
The centres also provide screening, management or referrals for substance abuse, violence and sexual assault, mental health services, psychosocial support, access to Post-Exposure Prophylaxis and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, as well as Tdap vaccination at 12 years and Human Papillomavirus vaccinations for young girls aged nine (9) years and above. 
MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko encouraged learners to avoid the pitfalls of peer pressure, especially the dangers of alcohol and drugs warning that these substances are destroying dreams of many youths. 
"I would like to encourage you, especially our young girls to stay away from sugar daddies and blessers who promise you the world but instead end up robbing you of a brighter future," the MEC advised the learners during the assembly. 
In addition to the Youth Zones, the Gauteng departments of health and education have collaborated to ensure the delivery of the Integrated School Health Programme. This to support learners with information and services about puberty, family planning, and health concerns while in school.