More than 35 pupils pregnant at a Limpopo school, 31 living with HIV
MEC Phophi Ramathu has called on communities to support pupils living with the virus so that they do not default on their treatment.
File photo of Limpopo Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba interacting with pupils. Picture: LIMPOPO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH/Facebook
Limpopo health MEC Phophi Ramathu has revealed that there are 36 pupils pregnant at one school around the Mulenzhe village.
She said there was also an increase in new HIV infections at both primary and secondary schools.
The MEC was visiting schools in the village ahead of matric examinations.
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Ramathu said 31 pupils between the age of nine and 19 were now living with the virus and she called upon the community to join forces in supporting them so that they do not default on their treatment.
She told pupils that the government did not appoint midwives to run schools but rather teachers to educate pupils because there is no room for pregnancy in our schools.
“Time for blame game is gone, let’s own up as a society that we have failed to provide guidance and leadership to our children. It will take parents, communities, educators, men of the cloth, health workers, police, social workers, and learners themselves to deal with these challenges,” Ramathu said.
In July, The Citizen reported that a grade 12 Limpopo pupil gave birth to triplets earlier this year.
She was one of 28 pregnant pupils from Molautsi Secondary School, outside Polokwane in Limpopo.
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