Rising number of teen pregnancy cases worrying, Health CS says

Health CS Sicily Kariuki has decried the increased numbers of teen pregnancy cases among children sitting for national exams this year.

According to her, it is the highest number in the history of the country.

She cited an incident in Embu where 20 students sat their exams while pregnant, a situation she said is uncomfortable and unacceptable.

“”The venerability experienced by adolescences and young people especially the girls, continues to place them at high risk of HIV and AIDs which is beyond the action on health,” the CS added.

She announced plans to launch a six-month rapid program that will address the challenge of early pregnancies among youth.

It is to be spearheaded by the Health, Gender and Education ministries that will come up with raft of measures to curb the challenge, the CS added.

“HIV and AIDs transmission, early pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases among the youths are the issues that will be under scrutiny,” she said.

She however called on the management of different schools to consistently engage with the students and pupils as they work to find solutions to the crisis.