Teenage Pregnancies Linked to Maternal Deaths in Eastern Province

 Chipata, Zambia – Government has attributed the high number of maternal deaths being recorded in Eastern Province to the continued rise in teenage pregnancies, a development authorities have described as deeply concerning.

Eastern Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Dr. Lewis Mwape says a significant number of maternal deaths in the province are directly linked to pregnancies among teenagers, a situation he labeled worrying and unacceptable.

Dr. Mwape expressed concern that the trend persists despite sustained efforts by Government and cooperating partners to curb early pregnancies, child marriages, and school dropouts among girls.

“It is disturbing that teenage pregnancies continue to claim the lives of young girls, even with the many interventions in place aimed at protecting them and keeping them in school,” Dr. Mwape said.

He was speaking yesterday in Chipata during the close-out meeting of Plan International’s Break Free Project, a programme designed to em
power girls and protect them from harmful practices such as early marriage and early pregnancies.

Dr. Mwape questioned the growing moral decline in society, noting that the situation contradicts Zambia’s values as a country that identifies itself as a Christian nation.

He further revealed that progress is being made in returning girls to school, describing recent figures as encouraging. According to Dr. Mwape, over 17,000 girls have returned to school in Chadiza District, while about 14,000 girls have resumed their education in Vubwi District following interventions by Government and its partners.

“These numbers give us hope and show that when communities, parents, and institutions work together, positive change is possible,” he said.

Meanwhile, Plan International Area Manager Mr. Dennis Lembani emphasized the importance of strengthening child protection mechanisms across communities. He stressed that safeguarding children, particularly girls, requires collective responsibility from families, traditional leaders, schools, and other stakeholders.

Mr. Lembani noted that projects such as Break Free play a critical role in addressing the root causes of teenage pregnancies by empowering girls, engaging communities, and promoting access to education.

The continued rise in teenage pregnancies and maternal deaths remains a major public health and social concern in Eastern Province, with stakeholders calling for stronger community involvement and sustained interventions to protect the lives and futures of young girls.