OSTPC sets sights on lowering teenage pregnancy cases in S’wak by 10 pct this year

KUCHING (Feb 3): The One Stop Teenage Pregnancy Committee (OSTPC) aims to reduce teenage pregnancy cases in Sarawak by at least 10 per cent this year.

Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said the committee’s primary objective was to lower the rate of teenage pregnancies to ensure young girls are able to continue their education.

“When they become pregnant, the majority stop schooling. Although they are allowed to return to school, the number of those who do is very small. We want our children to pursue their education to the fullest.

“Studies show that the higher the level of education, the brighter their future. This is especially true for our girls, and we do not want them to be trapped in teenage pregnancy.

“We want to ensure that our young women receive at least a Form Five education,” she said a press conference after chairing the OSTPC meeting at Wisma Wanita here yesterday.

Fatimah said the 10 per cent reduction was adopted as the committee’s target after recent figures indicated a downward trend overall.

Based on statistics from the State Health Department, a total of 1,770 teenage pregnancy cases were recorded between January and December in 2025.

However, increases were recorded in several districts, namely Bau with four cases, Samarahan (7), Sri Aman (1), Saratok (2), Sarikei (3), Meradong (3), Sibu (22), Bukit Mabong (5), Belaga (5), Telang Usan (12) and Limbang (2).

Meanwhile, the percentage of pregnant teenagers not in school rose slightly from 94.6 per cent in 2024 to 95 per cent in 2025. The percentage of unmarried teenage pregnancies also increased from 63.6 per cent in 2024 to 70.2 per cent last year.

In addition, 62.9 per cent of cases involved teenagers aged between 18 and 19, describing it as a transitional phase into adulthood.

From an ethnic breakdown, 51 per cent of pregnant teenagers were from the Iban community, followed by Malays (22.6 per cent) and Bidayuhs (6.6 per cent).

Apart from prevention, she said the committee’s second objective was to manage cases involving pregnant teenagers from a welfare perspective.

“We are trying to achieve this every year,” she stressed, adding that the OSTPC focuses on managing the teenagers’ welfare and health, including ensuring access to antenatal examinations before and after childbirth.

“Additional assistance can also be provided to these teenagers. The welfare aspect also extends to the babies born, including arrangements for proper upbringing, whether by the biological family or through adoption,” she said.

She added that OSTPC works closely with various agencies, including the Education Department, Health Department, Social Welfare Department, Religious Department, the police (PDRM), non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other relevant bodies to ensure comprehensive and integrated case management.

“The state government will continue strengthening preventive efforts through the Sexual Education Awareness and Advocacy Programme (KAPS), the Randau Social Development Programme, as well as community advocacy modules focusing on at-risk teenagers and those outside the school system,” she said.