The Dominican government has announced a significant decrease in teenage pregnancy rates, dropping from 23% to 19%. This achievement is attributed to collaborative efforts led by the Ministry of Public Health (MSP), the National Health Service (SNS), and other partner organizations, N Digital reports.
Key to this reduction has been the expansion of Comprehensive Care Units for Adolescents, increasing from 18 to 39 nationwide. These units, which previously focused solely on pregnant teenagers, now offer a more comprehensive approach addressing physical, emotional, and social aspects of adolescent health.
These findings were shared at the “Socialization of Good Practices in Comprehensive Health Promotion and Prevention for Adolescents and Community Participation” meeting, organized by the Ministry of Public Health’s Adolescent Program. The event showcased successful strategies that have fostered community involvement and healthy adolescent development.
Dr. Martín Ortiz, director of Maternal-Infant and Adolescent Health at the SNS, highlighted the impact of these units and pledged to expand their reach. “The joint effort between the Ministry of Public Health and the SNS is crucial to continue reducing teenage pregnancies and ensuring their overall development,” he affirmed.
Dr. Ricardo Elías Melgen, director of Population Health at the MSP, emphasized the importance of training, which this year reached 279 provincial health department staff, and 46 healthcare providers in comprehensive adolescent care.
“Promoting and preventing comprehensive health for adolescents is fundamental to ensuring their physical and emotional well-being, aligned with national health policies,” Dr. Melgen noted.
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N Digital
11 December 2024