Health officials in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal have installed vending machines as part of a pilot project to dispense daily birth control pills. Despite regulatory hurdles, this self-help system aims to address the unmet need for family planning in South Africa, as highlighted at a recent conference.
A collaborative effort involving various stakeholders, including government, NGOs, and healthcare providers, is crucial to reducing teen pregnancies. The College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists is training healthcare workers nationwide to provide contraception and respectful care to teenagers.
Educating young people on reproductive health and empowering them to make informed choices is essential. One success story is that of Robinson, a teenage mother who returned to school after her baby’s birth with the support of her teacher, Pamela Jaquire.
This initiative aims to break the cycle of early pregnancies and ensure that teenagers have the necessary support and resources to make positive decisions about their futures.
*This content was originally published by the Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism.
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