15 year old among new mothers on new year in KZN
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While children are a blessing from God, it should be of greater concern when the mother making the delivery is way under 18 years old.
The Department of Health says they have recorded a total of 509 new born babies on new year’s day, disappointing enough, some of the mothers happen to be teenagers.
Though KZN health MEC Nomagugu Simelane was among the happy people to welcome the babies, she was also not happy to see a 15 years old girl among those who gave birth.
“Once again, we have to register our concern that the trend of young girls falling pregnant, well below the age of 18, is clearly continuing,”
“If it happens consistently every Christmas and New Year’s Day, as we have seen, it clearly means it’s probably happening every single day of the year” said Simelane.
The Provincial Health Department said they have recorded a total of 86 new babies with youngest mother being the said 15-year-old who gave birth to a baby girl at Port Shepstone Hospital on the KZN South Coast.
It is said the father is also a 15 years old.
Two more 16 years old girls also gave birth and the other 16 year old was impregnated by a 22 years old boy, the MEC condemned that and said the boy should’ve known better and that on it’s own is rape.
By 3pm yesterday, the Department had already recorded 109 births across the province with 62 girls and 47 boys.
MEC Simelane was joined by KZN Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube among other dignitaries.
The department called upon parents, guardians, educators and community leaders to have open and frank conversations with their children about the benefits of abstinence and responsible sexual behaviour.
