As shared by the Vila Central Hospital in Vanuatu, about 200-300 babies were born at the facility every month from January through November 2009, and this figure could grow more with the final report for 2009, which is yet to be released.

Over 2008, the monthly birth rate figures stood at 150-200.

What is even more alarming is that the highest numbers of mothers were teenagers, mainly between the ages of 15 and 20.

A Hospital Management Official has said that the rate for the previous year was very high, and as of now, the maternity ward needs to be expanded. As per the hospital records, as many as 2492 mothers gave birth in 2009.

"I must say I’m shocked that we have these figures and it flags an urgency on our part as government to really do something. And we the department are working towards a big program that would enable parents and to an extent churches, schools to try and come up with awareness on public health", said Director of women and children’s issues at the Department of Women, Doros
-Day Kenneth.

The management of Vila Central has asserted that parents must take responsibility for properly advising their teenagers to make sure that they avoid early age pregnancy.