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A pregnant person.
The Eastern Cape government has called on communities to report teenage pregnancy to the authorities.
The call comes at the backdrop of the release of the provincial Health Department’s report, which revealed that between April and July this year, 117 teenagers between the ages of ten and 14 gave birth at the province’s public hospitals.
Several rape cases have been opened, but the provincial government has expressed concern over the withdrawal of three cases.
Health MEC Ntandokazi Capa explains her department’s interventions, “We have developed a standard operating procedure that if anyone who is between the ages of 10 and 14 comes to our facility pregnant, it is the responsibility of those who encounter them to report that to our head office so we can take the necessary steps as the department.”
“In terms of prevention, we have established youth zones in our facilities where we employ young nurses so they are able to interact with the young ones, with people whom they are comfortable with.”
VIDEO | Discussion on child and teenage pregnancies in South Africa:
📺 During her debate on the Health Department’s budget in the Eastern Cape Legislature, DA Shadow MEC for Health, Jane Cowley MPL, highlighted the alarming rise in teenage pregnancies across the province and the urgent need for action. pic.twitter.com/kzAtGT4hS0
— DA Eastern Cape Legislature (@DaecLegislature) September 17, 2024
