Eastern Cape Health MEC Ntandokazi Capa made a crucial visit to Zwelitsha Senior Secondary School in the Gxwaleni community of Ntabankulu, responding to the school’s concerning teenage pregnancy statistics. The school has reported the highest number of teenage pregnancies in the region for the second consecutive year, highlighting a growing public health challenge.

Last year, Zwelitsha Senior Secondary recorded 27 pregnant pupils, with 19 confirmed cases and 13 other girls who did not return to school, presumably due to pregnancy. The situation has raised alarm among community leaders, educators, and health officials alike.

The majority of these pregnancies involve girls aged between 13 and 16, underscoring the urgency for comprehensive sexual education and accessible reproductive health services. MEC Capa’s visit is part of a broader effort to address these issues head-on, with a focus on prevention and education.

During the visit, Capa and her team offered testing for HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). They also provided valuable information on STD prevention and sexual health planning, aiming to empower students with the knowledge and resources needed to make informed choices about their sexual health.

The high number of teenage pregnancies at this school is deeply concerning, and it reflects a wider issue that we must address collectively,” said MEC Capa. “Our goal is to provide these young women with the support and education they need to avoid unplanned pregnancies and to stay in school.

The Health Department’s initiative also seeks to involve parents, teachers, and community leaders in ongoing efforts to reduce teenage pregnancy rates in the region. By fostering open discussions about sexual health and promoting the use of contraceptives, the department hopes to see a significant reduction in these numbers in the coming years.

MEC Capa’s visit to Zwelitsha Senior Secondary School marks the beginning of a series of similar interventions planned across the Eastern Cape, as the department intensifies its campaign to combat teenage pregnancy and improve the overall health and well-being of young people in the province.