In its bid to tackle the scourge of teen pregnancy and HIV infections, the Department of Health has launched the first-of-its-kind contraceptives vending in Mthatha, Eastern Cape.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), South Africa has the highest rate of teen pregnancy globally, with one in four girls becoming pregnant before turning 20 years old.
In recent events, about 145 teen births were recorded on Christmas Day, while 190 were recorded on New Year’s Day, including two 14-year-old teen mothers in KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape respectively.
The Department spokesperson Foster Mohale said this is part of the efforts aimed at improving sexual reproductive health.
“This initiative is targeting girls and women of childbearing to increase access to HIV prevention services and reduce unplanned pregnancies which lead to unsafe abortions,’’ said Mohale.
Over the past three years, more than 11 500 adolescent girls between the age of 10 and 14 have given birth at public health facilities.
Mohale added that the project will be dispatched to other provinces in the coming weeks.
“Thirteen machines will be distributed across five provinces across the country as part of the rollout, then later, a country wide rollout will be conducted based on the assessment of the results.
“These machines will be placed in provinces including the North West, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and the Northern Cape.
“They will be positioned in areas such as higher learning institutions, shopping malls and SASSA pay points among others,’’ explained Mohale.
The listed contraceptives that will be in the vending machines include oral contraceptives such as Nordette, Triphasil, Microval, Ovral, morning-after pills, HIV self-testing kit, lubricants, male and female condoms, sanitary towels, and pregnancy tests.
The Department also highlighted that the services of these machines will be free for all, and that work is underway with provincial Departments to ensure their efficiency.
