adminAccording to the analysis produced by the reproductive health unit in the Health and Child Welfare Ministry, a total of 224 death notification forms were received at the head office.
It is from these forms that data was analysed and deduced that 28 percent of the deaths were of girls aged between 15 and 19 years. The report further revealed that the majority of the 224 deaths were of women affiliated to an apostolic sect.
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Some apostolic sects condemn seeking medical assistance from a health institution.
“Based on these results there is a need to reinforce interventions aimed at reducing risky pregnancies among adolescents,” reads part of the report’s recommendations.
Reproductive health deputy director in the Health and Child Welfare Ministry Mrs Margaret Nyandoro said the proportion of young girls dying while giving life was worrisome.
She said Government appreciated that the challenge was not its issue alone and was working with different partners to discourage early pregnancies among other interventions.
“The national adolescent sexual and reproductive health strategy for 2010 and 2015 was designed specifically to tackle reproductive health challenges faced by adolescents. There is a forum where all these issues are deliberated on and solutions proffered,” Mrs Nyandoro said.
United Nations Population Fund representative Dr Basile Tambashe said there was a need to place a special focus on young people’s sexual and reproductive health rights.
Online Reporter