MIDWIFE LINKS BABY ABANDONMENT TO LACK OF SUPPORT

A Midwife and Chief Executive Officer of Geisabi Medical Centre, Mrs. Dorothy Ofori Owusu, has linked baby abandonment among teenage mothers to inadequate support and guidance.

Speaking on the Anopa Bosuo show, she identified inadequate parental guidance, peer pressure, poverty, limited sexual and reproductive health education, and irresponsible sexual relationships as some of the major factors contributing to teenage pregnancy.

Mrs. Ofori Owusu explained that some teenage mothers, faced with fear, stigma, financial difficulties and pressure from their families or society, become overwhelmed and may resort to abandoning their newborns. She stressed the need for parents and communities to provide young people with proper guidance, education and emotional support to help prevent teenage pregnancies and reduce cases of newborn abandonment.

She further encouraged families to support teenage mothers rather than stigmatise them, saying a supportive environment could help protect both the mother and child.

Story BY Edinam Djaton