Bengal Fights Teenage Pregnancy: Health Minister's Bold Plan

Bengal's Health Minister, Sharadwat Mukherjee, has announced plans for an aggressive campaign to combat underage marriage and suggested a two-child policy to lower the state's maternal mortality rate. Stating that Bengal is unfortunately number one in teenage pregnancy statistics, the minister identified this as a critical risk factor for maternal deaths.

A significant awareness campaign is set to launch, focusing on preventing underage marriages and advocating for smaller family sizes. The minister cited extreme cases discovered during maternal death review meetings, including a 12-year-old mother and a woman dying during her 14th childbirth, underscoring the department's resolve to end such incidents.

Addressing districts with high rates of both child marriage and maternal mortality, Mukherjee has instructed district magistrates to actively intervene. They are tasked with socially preventing underage marriages upon receiving information and pursuing legal action if such marriages have already occurred. The health department is also bolstering services, with two new floating medical units inaugurated in the Sunderbans, equipped with diagnostic facilities and supported by speedboat ambulances.