- Advertisement -

UE Region Records High Adolescent Pregnancy and Abortion

- Advertisement -

Adolescent pregnancy, abortion, delivery and family planning are on the increase in the Upper East Region. This was revealed at a stakeholder’s forum on Adolescent Health and Development organized by the Regional Ghana Health Service (rGHS) in Bolgatanga.

The forum was held as part of this year’s activities to observe the regional adolescent health advocacy week celebration under the theme ‘ADOLESCENT PREGNANCY, A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY’.

In his address, Country Director for Afrikids Ghana Nicholas Kumah described the increase in adolescent pregnancy as a critical issue that needs an urgent attention. He stressed that in dealing with adolescents, there was the need to be well educated and well informed to know how such issues can be addressed.

According to Mr. Kumah, some of the challenges include delay in the setup of the adolescent health centers, lack of adolescent health educative materials at health centers, poor cooperation among some key stakeholders and change in target districts when project was about take-off caused some delays.

However, he believes the way forward is to work closely with the Ghana Health Service and other partners to complete the set-up of the adolescent health centers and to provide awareness creation materials for use at health centers and schools

“We need to continue with project activities for year 2 highlighting challenges with poor collaboration among stakeholders and insist on the essence of multi sectoral approach,” he said.

Addressing stakeholders on behalf of the Regional Health Director Dr. Razak Dokurugu described adolescent health as the weakest link in health and national development and further indicated that it is the goal and mission of the service to make available appropriate information on young people’s health and provide comprehensive adolescent health services including reproductive health. These services will be delivered in a humane, efficient and effective manner by trained, friendly, highly motivated and client – oriented personnel.

“We need as stakeholders to identify how we are going to tackle this weakest link,” he charged.

He expressed worry over the figure of 2948 adolescent pregnancies witnessed in the half year of 2014-2016 which represents 15.6%.

However, he believes investing in adolescent health and development of young people promotes economic growth and a number of benefits such as reduction of HIV and its devastating impact.

By: Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen/A1RADIOONLINE.COM/GHANA


 

- Advertisement -

MOST POPULAR

- Advertisement -

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related news

- Advertisement -