By Chinoyi Chipulu
Zambia Association of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians (ZAGO) president Swebby Macha says teenage pregnancy is now standing at 28 percent in the country according to the 2024 Zambia Demographic Health Survey.
He said the report on the new HIV new infections, of the 33,000, reported last year, 50 percent were adolescents and young people.
Speaking at the official launch of “Let’s Speak Up” project in Chilanga, Dr Macha said the programme was critical in reducing teenage pregnancies in the country.
He said it was worrying that the country had continued to record high numbers of teenage pregnancies between the ages of 10 to 19 years
He said the future of the young people was at risk hence this project would respond to critical aspects of Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) and enable adolescents access SHR health services without hindrance.
“50 percent, meaning we have a problem. Teenage pregnancies, HIV, STI’s, drop outs from school. Meaning that their future is compromised including that of the child of that teenager,” he said.
Dr Macha said the aim of the project was to improve access to use of SHR services by young people and expand youth friendly spaces for adolescents to share health information, access health services and challenges related to SHR without fear of stigma or discrimination.
“In the last survey in 2018, it was about 29 percent .This year, five years later, the survey has shown that the problem is still there, 28 percent. Meaning there is little we are doing to address the challenge,” he said.
Dr Macha said the project would be implemented in Lusaka, Copperbelt and Eastern Provinces through organising educational sessions for various stakeholders and training peer educators to foster discussions and share knowledge among their peers.
He said many parts of the world, including Zambia, discussions about sexual and reproductive health were shrouded in stigma and silence.
Dr Macha said sexual and reproductive health was a cornerstone of our overall health and well-being as it encompassed a broad range of issues such as maternal health, family planning and access to education among others.
Dr Macha said there was need to reach out to stakeholders across sectors who believed in the importance of access to sexual and reproductive health services.
“We should reach out to healthcare providers, educators, parents and guardians, traditional leaders, marriage counsellors, community leaders, policymakers, civil society organisations, UN agencies, and every individual. Let us bridge the gap between research and practice, turning evidence into action, and advocacy into tangible policy change,” said Dr Macha.
Caption:
Zambia Association of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians (ZAGO) president Swebby Macha
