Durban — The KZN Health Department over the Christmas weekend has raised concerns over the high rise in the number of teenage pregnancies in the province.
This comes as KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane, accompanied by Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Njabulo Nzuza, visited new mothers and their babies at KwaDukuza's General Justice Gizenga Mpanza Hospital.
The province had 99 babies born on Christmas Day: 53 boys and 46 girls, including twins born at Emmaus Hospital, near Winterton.
The department revealed that the youngest mother in the province was a 15-year-old who gave birth at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital, in uMlazi.
In 2021, the youngest mothers were two 16-year-olds.
It was further announced that there were two 17-year-old women who gave birth in Manguzi and three 18-year-old mothers in other parts of the province.
Simelane said it was worrying that the province was continuing to have teenage pregnancy and young mothers.
“The biggest problem is that the 15-year-old got pregnant at 14. This is something that should worry us as a society,” she said.
She said being involved in sexual activity with girls aged 13 and 14 was statutory rape, despite their giving consent.
“There is no 14-year-old that has enough mental capacity to consent to that or is ready to be a mother, psychologically and physically.
“However, as an adult, when you engage in sexual activity with that child, you are responsible. We are appealing to the families to take responsibility and ensure that those who sexually engage with young children face the consequences.
“We should make sure that those who impregnate children and young girls face the consequences. That is why we make calls to the families that they do not just welcome the damages from someone who has impregnated their daughters, but also make sure that the law takes its course because that person is a rapist,” Simelane said.
Simelane further raised concern over the vulnerability of young girls to HIV and Aids and other sexually transmitted diseases.
She said 15 665 of 727 000 women tested positive for HIV in 2021.
She added that at least 15 girls, aged between 10 and 14, were found to have STIs.
“This was a 2% positivity rate. However, it is still a huge number of young women infected. If we allow our children to be sexually active without protection, it means the number of infections we have in the country continues to increase,” said Simelane.
She said that the department was in discussions with other clusters about effective strategies.
Daily News