The Ogun State Government has launched Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Implications, a working documents to meet the Millennium Developmental Goals (MDG”s) of the significant reduction in maternal and child mortality
Penpushing reports that the project was in collaboration with Ipas Nigeria Health Foundation, responsible for the funding the stop guideline for legal indications, right from inception of the process to the production of the document and the engagement of consultants involved in the development of the guideline.
The guideline launch held in Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital was witnessed by number of stakeholders from various organizations which include Nigerian Medical Association), Civil Societies Organizations (CSO), Media, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre(WARDC),Community Education Advancement of Peace Initiative(CEAPD) ,Priceless Jewels Foundation(PJF),Child First Welfare Foundation and religious bodies among others as participants
Penpushing further reports that Commissioner for Health, Dr Tommy Coker in her statement pointed out that unsafe abortion alone accounts for about 10 to 14 percent of maternal morbidity and mortality in Nigeria
The Commissioner, however, explained that according to NDHS 2023 report, Ogun State situation appears to be slightly better with a maternal death ratio of 179 per 100,000 live births, with outstanding returns on investment and notable advancements in mother and child health services
Penpushing also reports that Coker, equally noted that there is still a high number of unintended pregnancies in the state which have been attributed to the low contraceptive prevalence rate as well as the restrictive abortion law which permit abortion only on the legal grounds to protect the life and wellbeing of a woman
‘As Nigeria accounts for nearly 20% of all maternal deaths globally. The maternal and child health situation in Nigeria is still in critical state and requires urgent attention. Approximately about 58,000 women die each year giving birth and for every death, at least ten new born babies are stillborn’, Coker said
‘The maternal mortality ratio of Nigeria remains 800 per 100,000 live births while neonatal mortality rate is 36.3 per 100 live births with the above statistics, it was impossible for Nigeria to meet the MDGs 4&5, as limited progress was made between 2000-2015. Unsafe abortion alone accounts for about 10 to 14 percent of maternal morbidity and mortality in Nigeria’, she stated
Penpushing reports that Coker explained that there is an existing national guideline for safe termination of pregnancies for legal indication (STOP) which Ogun State has now adapted, stressing that this policy will help to control and regulate preventable deaths of women who lose their lives as a result of conditions that are aggravated by continuation of pregnancy
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