10 Aug 2026

First Lady Ms Kaone Boko has called for greater health care, counselling and community support for teenage mothers, saying their pregnancies are often the result of sexual assault and not of choice.

Speaking during a tour of Tutume Primary Hospital’s maternity ward on Friday, Ms Boko said society must move away from stigma and blame.  

“When a young person gives birth to a child, both lives are at risk and deserve protection, dignity and an opportunity to build a future,” she said.

Ms Boko commended hospital staff for supporting adolescent mothers who deliver at the facility, and stressed that their pregnancies were ‘often not their fault.’

Her visit forms part of the Sireletsa Ngwana, Sireletsa Bokamoso campaign , which means “Protect the Child, Protect the Future” and seeks to strengthen public knowledge and institutional support around child welfare, protection and sexual reproductive health. The campaign targets teenage pregnancy, rape, defilement and general child abuse.

Hospital Superintendent, Dr Kamba Kayombo said the facility faced mounting pressure due to its location near the Botswana/Zimbabwe border and Dukwi Refugee Camp.  

In the 2025/26 period, 120 of 958 deliveries, 12 per cent were for foreign nationals, most of whom were unable to pay. He said this has created ‘significant financial strain’ and stretched already limited resources.

Dr Kayombo noted the hospital served a large catchment area including rural villages and cross-border patients, but the maternity ward has only 16 beds. That, he said, puts pressure on admissions, emergency obstetric care and postnatal follow-ups.

Other challenges include a shortage of qualified midwives, limited physical space, congestion, and shortages of essential equipment and supplies.

Teenage pregnancy remains a key concern. From October 2025 to date, the maternity wing recorded 116 deliveries among teenage mothers.  

“Adolescents are at high risk of pregnancy-related complications for both mother and baby, which places additional pressure on maternity services,” Dr Kayombo said. Despite the strain, he reported progress. The maternity wing has recorded zero maternal deaths since 2021 and has maintained uninterrupted maternal and child health services.

“The wing has a dedicated and resilient workforce that continues to provide compassionate and quality care under demanding circumstances while upholding patient safety and professional standards, operating 24 hours a day,” he said.

The hospital also runs a Youth Friendly Health Service clinic to improve access to sexual and reproductive health information for adolescents and young people.

Dr Kayombo said the hospital remains committed to improving services despite the challenges. ENDS