The emerging evidence of a sustained decline in teenage and child births across the province is encouraging for the Eastern Cape Department of Health MEC, Ntandokazi Capa, as it signals that ongoing prevention and community-based interventions are beginning to yield results.
According to an Eastern Cape Department of Health statement, data for the 2025/26 financial year shows that child births among girls aged 10–14 have declined significantly, particularly in the latter half of the year.
“After exceeding quarterly targets in the first half, the province recorded a marked reduction in the third and fourth quarters, closing at 54 births in Quarter 4, well below the target of 75,” Health MEC spokesperson Camagwini Mavovana said. “This reflects a broader multi-year downward trend, with births in this age group decreasing from 553 in 2022/23 to 292 in 2025/26.”
Mavovana added that a similar decline is observed among adolescents aged 15–19. “While quarterly figures remain high, the province has seen a steady reduction over time, with total births declining from 17,064 in 2022/23 to 13,916 in 2025/26,” she stated.
She added that this indicates progress, albeit at a slower pace, underscoring the need for sustained and intensified interventions targeting this age group.
“These gains are attributed to strengthened multi-sectoral collaboration involving the Departments of Education and Social Development, alongside community partners, aimed at addressing the social and behavioural drivers of teenage pregnancy, including access to information, reproductive health services, and community awareness,” she said.
The Department emphasised that reducing teenage pregnancy is not only about lowering numbers, but also about improving health outcomes for both mother and child.
“Efforts will therefore continue to focus on early antenatal booking, prevention programmes, and strengthening primary healthcare services, particularly in high-burden districts,” Mavovana added. “The Eastern Cape Department of Health remains committed to working with all stakeholders to accelerate the decline in teenage pregnancies while improving the quality of maternal and neonatal care.”
To accelerate this progress, the Department has further intensified its response through a combination of community-based, clinical, and system-level interventions.
Across the the province, “534 Youth Zones have been established as safe, youth-friendly spaces within health facilities.”
Mavovana stated that these centres, staffed by trained nurses, improve access to sexual and reproductive health services, mental health support, and HIV prevention programmes, ensuring that young people receive care in a supportive and non-judgemental environment.
Additionally, the statement noted that the Department is strengthening Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights programmes through the SSAGE project, which equips Health Promotion Practitioners to drive demand for services while promoting gender equity and informed decision-making among young people.
“Clinical quality remains a key priority,” she said. “Through the ‘Funda Friday’ initiative, healthcare professionals engage in continuous learning and case discussions to improve maternal and child health outcomes and ensure that care across facilities meets required standards.”
Recognising the importance of accessibility, the Department has also expanded its technological outreach through collaboration with the Bumbingomso Call Centre. “This platform enables young people, particularly in districts such as Buffalo City and Amathole, to access support via WhatsApp and telephonic services, effectively bridging the gap between communities and social support services.”
The Department further encourages youth to utilise the B-Wise app, a “health at your fingertips” platform, to improve knowledge of sexual and reproductive health and access critical support services.
“At the same time, the Department continues to strengthen its legal and protective response,” she said. “The mandatory use of Form 22 ensures that all suspected cases of child abuse and pregnancies among minors are reported to the Department of Social Development.”
Mavovana added that this is supported by the work of 11 Thuthuzela Care Centres, which have played a critical role in improving access to justice, reducing case turnaround times, and achieving conviction rates of 84%–89% for sexual offences.
The Department emphasised that pregnancies in girls under the age of 16 are not merely a health concern but “constitute statutory rape in terms of the law”, thereby strengthening its collaboration with law enforcement.
She added that the Department is implementing targeted programmes to engage young men, promote responsible behaviour and positive masculinity, while working with communities to challenge harmful practices and strengthen partnerships with traditional and religious leaders to drive behavioural change at the grassroots level.
“The Department of Health reiterates that it does not operate in isolation and supports a whole-of-society approach to this challenge. This includes stronger enforcement and coordination across sectors,” the statement concluded.
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