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A student consults paediatrician Dr Jiraporn Prasertwit at the clinic.
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The birth of hope
By Wannapa Phetdee,
Tossaporn Wongwaikolayoot
Daily Xpress
Published on May 2, 2008
A new clinic is offering options and courage to teenage mothers
Teenage pregnancy can be a serious problem for young women, but it need not ruin their lives. Nid (not her real name) faced such a problem last year and visited Ramathibodi Hospital's teenage pregnancy clinic. She now lives happily with her two-month-old son and parents. "Without the clinic, I probably would have had my son aborted. Doctors at the clinic gave me a lot of good instructions. They made my parents understand more about what happened to me," says the 15 year old. "They suggested I continue my studies. I intend to work along with studying at lower secondary level soon. I will study at higher secondary level, too."
A brighter future Nid is one of some 30 young mothers with unwanted pregnancies receiving holistic care from the Bangkok clinic. Its paediatrician, obstetrician, psychiatrist, nurse, psychologist and staff help both their physical and mental health. Paediatrician Dr Jiraporn Prasertwit says teenage mums face many problems and are not ready to act as mothers. So, apart from taking care of a girl's health, the clinic talks with her family and boyfriend to make them understand. It also negotiates with schools to allow these girls to continue their studies after they give birth. "Before we opened the clinic officially, around 30 young mothers had received care in our adolescent clinic since 2004. Most could return to their studies and their families understand them better," says Jiraporn. The hospital opened the clinic on February 14. The clinic also checks how these mothers look after their babies and has coordinated with foster homes to take care of some infants when their mothers could not cope. "We also offer some mothers vocational training if they don't want to return to school. We want them to have a bright future," says Assoc Prof Dr Suwanna Ruangkanchanasetr, who formed the clinic. The clinic is open every second Friday from 1 to 3pm. People can call the hotline at (087) 053 5500 or visit www.teenrama.com. Surat Thani's Phunphin district will also establish teenage pregnancy clinics in its four hospitals this year with help from Suwanna.
XTRA
Young mothers >> On average, 140 girls aged 10 to 19 gave birth each day in Thailand last year. - The Ramjitti Institute
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