Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko announced plans to implement Implanon implants for school-going girls to prevent teenage pregnancies. She emphasized parental consent as a crucial requirement for the procedure. This initiative comes amidst growing concerns about the rising rate of teenage pregnancies in South Africa, with Gauteng reporting 31 cases recently. Nkomo-Ralehoko highlighted the social ills and diseases associated with teenage pregnancy and expressed her commitment to ensuring children's well-being.
Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko hands over donation of school shoes to Principal Ilze Lombard during a visit at Tshwane Secondary School in Pretoria inner-city. Picture: Oupa Mokoena. Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko said on Thursday that her department will roll out Implanon implants among school-going girls to prevent teenage pregnancies.
Her commitment to curb teenage pregnancies comes amid concerns over the rising rate of teenage pregnancies in the country with Gauteng recording at least 31 cases recently. “It is on top of my priority because when I saw a 13-year-old child with a baby I realised there is a problem in our province,” she said.“Even with 31 of the children between 15 and 19 we do not need them to fall pregnant. We need them to be in the right state of mind because it comes with social ills and diseases,” she said.
She highlighted some pressing infrastructure needs at the school, saying it requires new ablution blocks, fencing and building infrastructure upgrades. The Act further states that children aged 12 and above can access contraceptives, excluding condoms, without requiring parental or caregiver consent, provided they request it themselves.
She said the Children’s Act provisions set out the age of consent to contraceptives without parental consent at 12 years of age.
TEENAGE PREGNANCY IMPLANON GAUTENG HEALTH MEC SCHOOL GIRLS PARENT CONSENT
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