05/07/2025
EVE BURNS
Marshall Islands rank second highest in the Pacific in teen pregnancy — and has ranked high in the region in teen pregnancies for decades. According to data from Majuro hospital for the period 2019 to 2024, 516 teens from the ages of 12 to 17 were pregnant and gave birth. That’s an average of 86 babies born to teenagers annually over this six-year period.
Responding to an inquiry from the Journal concerning how the hospitals handle teen pregnancy, Health Secretary Francyne Wase-Jacklick explained: “While the Child and Family Services Act provides a protocol for reporting child abuse, pregnancy in minors is not explicitly defined as abuse,” she said. “However, as part of our commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals, the (ministry) follows the Gender-Based Violence Standard Operating Procedures for screening, documentation, and referrals.”
Secretary Francyne added that when examining a minor patient who is a victim of sexual or physical violence, doctors inform them of their rights and services, and offer the option to report. If the patient consents, referrals are made to the Child Rights Office and legal authorities. If they refuse, their autonomy is respected, but support and documentation are maintained. For pregnancies in girls aged 14-16, medical staff use clinical judgment to assess mental maturity, potentially reporting to authorities if deemed necessary for child protection. Pregnancies in girls under 15 are high-risk and receive increased support.
“The Ministry of Health and Human Services takes the health and well-being of all expectant mothers very seriously, particularly those under the age of 18, as they are considered high-risk pregnancies,” she said. “For minors, we provide additional education, screenings, and more frequent visits as part of our antenatal care. We aim to have a comprehensive approach involving staff, including a nurse or social worker, to support underage mothers, although we are currently facing significant staffing shortages.”
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