By Austin Ogwuda
THE World Health Organisation (WHO) Coordinator in Delta, Dr Faith Ireye has called on the Delta State government and other stakeholders to urgently address the increasing cases of adolescent pregnancy among the girl-child.
Ireye says pregnancy in adolescents especially within the 14 and 19 age bracket in Delta is worrisome, noting that adolescent pregnancy has to be taken care of “because currently four per cent of pregnancies in the State occur among adolescents”.
The WHO Coordinator stated this at a one-day programme organised by the Delta State Ministry of Health and Primary Health Care Management Board tagged, ‘DISC 1.0 State Level Project Dissemination’ held in collaboration with Society for Family Health (SFH) in Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria, on Thursday.
According to her, “If they have information and are well guided with the information at their disposal, it will be possible to crash teenage pregnancy below four per cent”.
Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Onojaeme commended the Society for Family Health (SFH) on its Delivering Innovation in Self-Care (DISC) project aimed at expanding access to contraceptives by women in the State.
The Commissioner who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Philomena Okeowo said the DISC project is funded by the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF).
“We gather today to reflect on the impactful journey of the DISC project, a transformative initiative spearheaded by the Society for Family Health.
“Society for Family Health has been a long-standing partner to the state, having significantly contributed to the health indices of Delta.
“Over the past two years, the DISC project has been a beacon of hope and progress in Delta, championing the utilization of Sayana Press subcutaneous contraception to empower individuals and communities towards better reproductive health outcomes”, the Commissioner added.
