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Bengal Forms Taskforce for Teenage Pregnancies
9 Sep
Summary
- Bengal health department formed a committee to manage teenage pregnancies.
- The committee aims to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates.
- High child marriage rates drive teenage pregnancies in several districts.
In response to elevated rates of teenage pregnancy, the West Bengal health department has established a specialized nine-member committee. This committee's primary objective is to formulate a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) crucial for managing teenage pregnancies, a contributing factor to significant maternal and neonatal mortality.
The committee, which includes gynaecologists and forensic medicine experts, is scheduled for its inaugural meeting on September 18. It will concentrate on developing comprehensive guidelines for both intra-natal and post-natal care specific to teenage mothers and their infants.
Health officials noted that despite laws against child marriage, certain districts like Murshidabad, South 24 Parganas, and East Burdwan continue to report high instances of such unions. These marriages directly contribute to a concerning birth rate among girls aged 15 to 19 in West Bengal, which has the highest child marriage rate among major Indian states.
