Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (MS)

Bengaluru, Apr 21: Cases of teenage pregnancies have reached a record high in the state including the silicon city of Bengaluru. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has sent a warning to all concerned departments of health, education and social welfare to take remedial action as the numbers have shot up to 28,657.

Some parents want their daughters to get married as soon as possible and get relief from the responsibility while a few others are resorting to child marriage due to lack of education and blind beliefs. In some cases sexual harassment and love affairs are seen as reasons that end up in pregnancy of teenagers. Many of the teenagers who get pregnant are suffering from physical as well as mental health issues.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed 10 departments concerned with issues of teenagers to submit the reports and immediately implement an action plan to prevent the occurrence.

According to the child health portal of the central government in Karnataka from January 2023 to November, 28657 minors were reported as pregnant. After the incident of pre-metric girl student turned pregnant in Tumakuru, government has sounded out a high alert.

Government is also mulling changing the law and also form a central work force including various departments of the state. Children rights commission has urged the government to take quick action on the subject.

Several issues like abortion, premature child birth and baby with physical disabilities are being faced when teenagers get pregnant according to gynaecologist Dr Indira of K C General Hospital.

Teenagers suffer from severe illnesses like deficiency of blood and high BP after giving birth to children. In addition, this is a social evil that needs to be contained at the earliest.