Tshwane third highest for teen pregnancy in province
The department says that the stats are alarming thus the need for intervention is crucial.
Tshwane has the third highest number of pregnant teenagers in the province, Gauteng health recently announced.
The department announced this during the unveiling of its multi-sectoral intervention plan to tackle teenage pregnancy at the Lakes conference centre in Benoni on April 30.
During the 2022/23 period, Ekurhuleni had the highest number of teenage deliveries among girls aged 10 – 19 at 6 670 followed by Johannesburg 6 069, Tshwane 4 858, the West Rand 1 729 and Sedibeng 1 429.
The department also noted an increase of 497 cases in termination of pregnancies (TOP) from the previous year:
– 24 444 TOPs in 2021/22
– 24 941 TOPs in 2022/23
The department says that the stats are alarming thus the need for intervention is crucial.
The action plan consists of mobilising support from all community stakeholders including youth movements, faith-based organisations, community leaders, policymakers, business leaders, parents and school governing bodies.
The department aims to provide sexual and reproductive health literacy programmes in schools and higher learning institutions, targeting youth both in and out of school.
For a more holistic approach, the department is also integrating medical and socio-cultural into the plan to respond to teenage pregnancies’ in a sensitive but ethical manner.
The department called on parents and guardians to join the fight and engage with their children regarding sexual health from an early age.
“This intersectoral plan is a positive step forward in our commitment to respond to the health needs of adolescents and the youth.
As the government, we acknowledge that teenage pregnancy is a societal issue that requires a collective effort.
We have partnered with key stakeholders to develop a detailed action plan with timelines to actively address this challenge in Gauteng,” said MEC for health and wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko.
She said her department will work closely with the social development and basic education departments to support this venture.
“One of the things that drive me is the visits that I’ve been doing for the past two years.
Especially in the last financial year, I’ve discovered, not only in one hospital but multiple, where 13-year-olds are delivering,” Nkomo-Ralehoko said.
“Something needs to be done about this teenage pregnancy issue.
The launch is the beginning of what we want to do as a department because this issue does not only affect the health department but others as well need to play a critical role in reducing teenage pregnancies.”
She said communities should move away from looking at pregnant young girls with a judgmental eye and instead choose to educate them to avoid similar instances occurring in the future.
“We believe that through education, community engagement and accessible reproductive health services, we can alter the current trajectory. This initiative is designed to provide comprehensive sexual education, improve access to health services and involve key community stakeholders in creating a supportive role for our young people,” she said.
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