The stakeholders at the public hearing on the proposed Ogun State Safe Termination of Pregnancy Law, 2026, have commended the State House of Assembly for initiating the bill.
Penpushing reports that the stakeholders described it as a well-conceived legislation aimed at reducing maternal mortality, protecting healthcare professionals and providing a clear legal framework for safe pregnancy management in the State.
The stakeholders included a former Chairman of the State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Azeem Adekunle Ashimi, representative of the State chapter of National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Nurse Bello Adejoke, Onitafin of Otafin, Oba Morufu Alani Adebayo, advocated the need to address the legal ambiguity surrounding safe termination of pregnancy.
Penpushing further reports that others were representatives of Civil Society Advocacy for Human Rights, Community Education Advancement of Peace and Development Initiative(CEAPDI) , Alhaji Adesina Adefolahan, League of Imam and Alfa in the State, Dr. Tajudeen Usman, State Chapter of the Society for Gynecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON), Dr. Shorounmu Tessie,
The others include representative of the State Command of the Nigeria Police, ACP Glory Agbor Otonko, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Comrade Yinka Folarin and Centre for Economic Empowerment and Gender Activities, Oduntan Bunmi amongst others.
Penpushing also reports that they noted that such ambiguity in the legal provisions often resulted in dangerous delays in patient care; calling for adequate indemnity for qualified medical practitioners to prevent unjust penalties.
They equally sought the need to put machineries in place to prevent the victims of rape and incest from patronizing quacks, by ensuring that only the licensed professionals provide such medical services.
Penpushing reports that Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, in her remarks said the proposed legislation would establish a framework around safeguarding the lives and health of women; while also safeguarding health practitioners offering the services.
The Commissioner added that the bill would help reduce maternal mortality and provide access to mental health services for women and girls experiencing emotional trauma arising from unwanted pregnancy.
Penpushing further reports that Chairman, House Committee on Health, Hon. Wahab Haruna, earlier in his remarks explained that the bill was conceived because “too many of our mothers, sisters and daughters lose their lives or suffer serious harm from complications arising from pregnancy and childbirth, many of which are preventable.”
The Chairman urged the stakeholders to make meaningful contributions to the bill, assuring that their inputs would be given the necessary legislative consideration in the process leading to the passage of the bill.
Penpushing also reports that Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, declaring the stakeholders’ forum open said the proposed legislation was designed to provide “a legal and institutional framework for the safe termination of pregnancy under the defined circumstances.”
The Speaker noted that the assembly considered the increasing incidence of unregulated abortions and considered the resultant deaths of adolescents and women as unacceptable.
Penpushing reports that Elemide added that the bill would ensure the provision of a legal framework that would not only safeguard the livelihoods of genuine medical practitioners but also deter criminal elements who exploited the absence of rules and regulations to perpetrate evils in the society.
‘The legislation seeks to entrench safe motherhood, reduce maternal morbidity and mortality and establish the conditions for the safe termination of pregnancy,” while assuring the participants that every submission made would be meticulously considered in ensuring that the bill takes care of the stakeholders’ interest’, he stated.
Penpushing further reports that Elemide expressed confidence that the engagement would produce a comprehensive legislation that would strengthen safe pregnancy management in the State.
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