32 child and teen pregnancies every day

AT LEAST 32  children and adolescents between the ages of 10 become pregnant   every day in Panama according to The Ministry of Health.

During the first five months of the year, a total of 4,880 girls between 10 and 19 years of age became pregnant.  The figure represents 557 cases more than those recorded entity in the same period of 2015, an increase of 12 percent and does not include cases handled by private clinics or Social Security.

In 2015, there were almost 11,000 teen pregnancies,

The statistics are being used to justify a proposal to mandate the Ministry of Education to put a sexual education program in place, which would teach students about comprehensive health issues.

TALKED TO DEATH
The project has generated widespread   controversy but has failed to arrive at a consensus.

Referring to bill 61, “comprehensive health education in schools,” president Juan Carlos Varela said Wednesday, July 6, that it is “important” that there is a “wide debate “on the issue.

Critics say the issue has been talked to death and, with opposition from religious groups ,is likely to again meet the same fate.