18,000 teen pregnancies every year, says health minister

An average of 18,000 teen girls in Malaysia get pregnant each year, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam. – Flickr pic, October 29, 2015. An average of 18,000 teen girls in Malaysia get pregnant each year and seek medical attention at government health clinics, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam.

He said of the total, 25% or approximately 4,500 cases involved pregnancy out of wedlock.

"On average, there are 1,500 cases of teen girls getting pregnant each month or 50 cases a day in the country," he told reporters after the launch of the national-level“Generasiku Sayang” programme by the Permaisuri of Johor Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah in Putrajaya today.

On cases involving girls getting pregnant due to rape, the minister said the number was relatively small.

He said teenage pregnancy or early childbearing would not only affect the mother's health, but was also feared to have greater risks on the baby, including premature death.

The Global School-based Student Health Survey carried out by the ministry in 2012 which involved teenagers from the age of 13 to 17 across the country revealed that 50.4% of the respondents admitted to have had sex for the first time before reaching the age of 14.

"This issue, if not addressed, will increase the risks of teen pregnancy, which may also lead to other problems, such as abandoned babies," the minister said.

On the “Generasiku Sayang” programme, Dr Subramaniam said it was aimed at increasing public awareness on the importance of preventing teen pregnancy.

Under the programme, the ministry had set up care centres to provide protection to teen girls or women who got pregnant out of wedlock, as well as their babies. 

At present, such centres had been set up in all states, except Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Pahang. – Bernama, October 29, 2015.