MMC for Developmental Planning and Real Estate, Nomadlozi Nkosi, and MMC for Health and Social Services, Bridget Thusi, presided over a multi-sectoral seminar focused on combating the alarming rise in teenage pregnancies across Ekurhuleni.
The seminar comes in response to data from the Gauteng Department of Health showing a troubling increase in teenage pregnancies, with 24 941 cases of deliveries and terminations reported in Gauteng from 2022 to 2023 – marking a 2% rise from the previous year.
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Nkosi stressed the urgency of addressing these figures, calling for strategies to better support young people.
“These statistics highlight the immediate need for intervention strategies to guide young people through these challenges,” Nkosi said, encouraging youth to use the Youth Zones available at all healthcare facilities.
These zones aim to improve access to health services and reproductive information, empowering young people to make informed choices.
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Thusi echoed the commitment, noting that the City of Ekurhuleni, in partnership with the Gauteng Government, is dedicated to creating policies aligned with health and wellness goals for 2023 to 2028.
“Our goal is to foster an environment where young people feel supported in accessing sexual and mental health resources,” Thusi stated, describing the seminar as a step towards a supportive community that champions youth well-being through both immediate and long-term solutions.
