Do medical checks, pregnant women told

Pregnant women are being encouraged to do medical checkups monthly.

A midwife working for the United Nations Population Fund, Poni Angelo, has urged pregnant women in rural areas to visit health facilities every month for a checkup.

Madam Poni also warned against early and forced marriage because of what she says the increased risk of complications during delivery among young girls.

The UN says complications of pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death in women under 19 years of age.

In May this year, UNFPA warned that an estimated 200,000 pregnant women will be in need of urgent care this year alone as the conflict in South Sudan continues to intensify.

UNFPA also said some 30,000 of these women could experience life-threatening complications at child birth.