Soon, state SOP for underage pregnancy
Times of India | 10 September 2026The nine-member committee headed by a professor of community medicine has gynaecologists, forensic medicine experts. The committee is likely to have its first meeting on Sept 18 at Swasthya Bhawan. The committee has been tasked to prepare the guideline for management of both intra natal and post natal for teenage pregnancy. This is aimed at reducing maternal and neonatal mortality.
“Despite laws on under age marriage some districts reports high number of such marriage leading to teenage pregnancy. While we need to put an end to such marriages we also need to have a proper guideline for hospitals to manage teenage pregnancy for overall well-being of the mother and the child,” said a health official.
Sources said West Bengal with the highest child marriage rate among major Indian states, driving a birth rate of nearly 23 per 1,000 for girls aged 15 to 19. Health officials said districts from where high number of teenage pregnancy is reported is Murshidabad, South 24 Parganas and East Burdwan.
