Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya says his ministry is targeting adolescents in the quest to eliminate the spread of HIV and communicable diseases.

Dr. Chilufya says the demographic reports for 2018 on HIV new infections indicates that there is an increase in infections among youths cross the country.

He says government has taken a deliberate move to integrate youths in all health activities to attain the universal health coverage agenda and reduce new HIV infections.

Dr. Chilufya was speaking during the launch of integrated outreach health services for tertiary institutions in Lusaka.

The minister said the 2018 demographic report also revealed that there is a reduction in the number of youths and adolescents using contraceptives.

Dr. Chilufya said government will soon start training peer educators who will be directly engaging youths from all tertiary institutions in health matters.

At the same occasion, Higher Education Minister Nkandu Luo urged students not to engage in illicit activities that are likely to put their lives in danger.

Professor Luo said there is an increase in the number of youths dying from substance abuse especially in higher learning institutions.

She said it will be difficult for the country to develop if the youths are not engaging in productive ventures.

Meanwhile Deputy head of Mission at the Swedish embassy Kerin Sverken assured the ministry of health of Swedish government commitment in achieving universal health coverage.

And both University of Zambia Registrar Sitali Wamundila and Student Union President Warran Hamusunga thanked government for the support it has continued to render to the institution.