Hospital takes action against teenage pregrancy
Port Shepstone Regional Hospital emphasised the dangers of misinformation and unsafe backstreet abortions.
Teenage pregnancy remains a serious challenge in South Africa.
It threatens young girls’ health, education, and their future.
This was recently shared by Port Shepstone Regional Hospital while observing National Pregnancy Week.
According to the hospital’s PRO, Phumza Morai, they led a campaign educating the youth and communities about the dangers of teenage pregnancy and the importance of making informed life choices.
She said during the campaign, Matron Lithobile Ngxumza led the hospital’s obstetrics and gynaecology team in conducting interactive sessions within the hospital and at schools.
“At Marburg Secondary, over 240 female learners from Grades 8 to 12 were engaged on the benefits of abstinence, emotional and economic consequences of unplanned pregnancies, the lack of partner support, and school dropouts,” she said.
Morai added that they also visited Denvesor Primary, where they taught learners about self-respect, goal setting, and responsible decision-making.
She explained that in hospitals, the gynaecology outpatient department did a role-play exercise that exposed how some young girls are misled into unsafe termination of a pregnancy.
She said the team highlighted legal alternatives such as family support, responsible parenting and adoption, where necessary.
“The team touched on health risks such as high blood pressure, anaemia, and pre-term births. They also spoke about the dangers of misinformation and unsafe backstreet abortions,” she said.
She added that the KZN Department of Health MEC, Nomagugu Simelane, also emphasised that addressing teenage pregnancy required a joint effort from parents and caregivers, teachers, healthcare professionals and society.
Pregnancy Awareness Week ran from February 3 to 7.
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