Stop early marriages in Unity State urges health officials

August 19, 2010 (BENTIU) – Health officials in Bentiu Hospital, Unity state are calling on the community and parents to discourage early marriages as many young girls die during delivery.

Speaking to Sudan Tribune from Bentiu Teaching Hospital, Doctor Antonio Lupai Simon said young girls face a lot of complications during child birth because their bodies are not matured enough.

“Early marriage is a problem with women because a woman who is married before the age of 18 has not reached the level of pelvic maturity as far as pelvic is concerned to accommodate the baby properly and then deliver normally,” he said.

Doctor Antonio said they have so many cases of women brought to the hospital before the age of 18 with pregnancy and they have problems which make delivery difficult.

He pointed out that they also have cases of patients dying because of certain labor complications and they are brought late to the hospital.

“So, we say that it’s better for young girls to wait, until they reach at least 18 years to get married. And this cannot be left to the young girls because they don’t take their own decision it’s the community that controls them.”

He stressed the need to explain to the community that “our ladies should not be sent to husbands before they are properly matured”.

Dr. Lupai also mentioned that with increased malnutrition in the region, many girls suffer anemia and eventually lose their lives during delivery.

(ST)