Monaco launches sexual health plan with free care for minors

The Monaco government has introduced a new sexual health plan aimed at improving prevention and screening across the Principality, with a particular focus on young people. The scheme includes infection screening, counselling and prevention services, alongside gynaecological consultations that are free and anonymous for minors.

Officials behind the initiative say the goal is to encourage young residents to take responsibility for their own sexual health, addressing a subject that can still carry a degree of stigma. By guaranteeing anonymity, the plan is designed to remove a key barrier that often stops minors seeking advice or testing in the first place.

For families in Monaco, the move signals a more structured approach from the government to a health area that has traditionally relied on school programmes or private consultations. The emphasis on free and confidential access suggests authorities want take-up to be as wide as possible, particularly among younger residents navigating these issues for the first time.