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[FILE IMAGE]: A newborn’s feet.
Limpopo’s Health department has expressed concern on the number of teenage mothers. Of the 80 women who have given birth to Christmas babies, 13 are teenagers.
The province has welcomed 53 boys and 35 girls on Christmas.
Department Spokesperson Percy Moagi says the MEC has described teenage pregnancy as a serious social challenge.
“MEC for Health in Limpopo Mme Dieketseng Mashego has expressed deep concern over the alarming number of teenage mothers with 13 teenagers having given birth accross the province. She has described the situation as a serious social and public health challenge that requires urgent collective intervention,” says Moagi.
Meanwhile, KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane says government efforts to curb teenage pregnancy seem to be failing as more babies are borne to underage girls.
Simelane was addressing the media in Ladysmith as she welcomed new born babies on Christmas day in the province.
At least 70 babies had been delivered by 10 Christmas morning throughout the province and more are expected.
Simelane says among the mothers, are three 15-year-old girls who delivered at hospitals in Durban. Simelane further expressed concerns that most of the teen mothers are impregnated by older men..
“We also note with great concern that we had the same number of 15 year old mothers at this time on Christmas Day last year. It means even as we are engaging on this matter as the province, there is no change that is happening with in our society and that is a serious worry.
Well while the father of the baby at GJ crooks is an 18 year old, it is particularly chocking that the 16 year old mother who gave birth at Queen Nandi hospital was impregnated by a 32 year-old man.”
Christmas babies | Teenage pregnancy remains a concern:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJL_Bu6HIzA
