SINGAPORE: The number of teen abortions has been
falling steadily in recent years but medical counsellors say the
girls undergoing abortions are getting younger.
Some of them are as young as 16 years of
age.
The counsellors say it could be due to girls falling
in love earlier, not having enough communication with their parents
or not knowing enough about sex.
KK Women's and Children's Hospital senior medical social worker Ang
Lee Beng said: "We do see younger people getting into relationships
like (when they are) in secondary schools and when they start a
relationship, it's likely to get very intimate and developed into a
sexual relationship."
On average, about three girls undergo an abortion daily.
According to Ministry of Health, there were 1,396 abortions in 2006
for girls below 20 years old compared to 1,099 cases last
year.
The 1,099 cases formed about 9 per cent of the total number of
abortions in 2010.
Still, the Sanctuary of Grace - a crisis centre in Sembawang -
wants to encourage girls to have their babies as they believe that
life is precious.
- CNA/fa
