There have been at least two dozen known cases of underage pregnancies within the past year in Region Nine and residents fear the numbers are far higher and are urging an intervention by government to address the situation.
They say that no one knows the true extent of the situation as there are at least 60 villages scattered across the region and one only becomes aware of the situation when a girl experiences complications and has to be rushed to the primary health care facility at Lethem. According to them, suspected cases have been reported to regional officials and the police but many are not investigated.
Carl Parker, a resident and regional councillor said that one probation officer for the entire region is grossly inadequate and unless she is given the support to
