Govt raises the alarm over rising teenage pregnancies in Zambia

The Zambian government has raised concern over the alarming rise in teenage pregnancies, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to adolescent wellbeing and requires urgent attention.

Ministry of Health Assistant Director for Reproductive Health, Dr. Angel Mwiche, called for concerted efforts from all stakeholders, including traditional, civic, and religious leaders, to address the issue.

Speaking on Monday during the dissemination of the Health Commitments Scoping Assessment and the launch of Zambia’s Digital Advocacy by AMREF Zambia in Lusaka, Mwiche reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the health workforce, improving maternity infrastructure, and enhancing referral and ambulance systems.

“The Ministry will foster collaboration to coordinate stakeholder efforts and ensure actions align with national goals,” he stated.

Mwiche also emphasized the importance of international commitments, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the global strategy for women’s, children’s, and adolescents’ health.

“We must recognize that the success of our efforts will depend on strong partnerships, effective national policies, and our collective commitment to driving real change,” he added.

AMREF Zambia Country Manager, Vivian Sakanga, noted that while the maternal mortality ratio had dropped from 278 to 195 per 100,000 live births, the numbers remained unacceptably high.

Meanwhile, Dr. Christopher Kalila, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Health, underscored the need to tackle defilement and provide special care for women due to their crucial role in nurturing life.

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