Nigeria: Unsafe abortion: Taming a leading, silent killer

Yinka Adeniran, Ibadan
March 18, 2024

There have been complaints about the rate at which women and girls die as a result of unsafe abortions. To tame this silent killer, experts and stakeholders in the Sexual Reproductive Health sector converged on Ibadan, the Oyo State capital to ruminate on how to do more for women and girls. YINKA ADENIRAN looks at the issue and efforts to tame the menace of unsafe abortion among women and girls.

For months, Sola Oduwole (pseudonym) could not forgive herself. She felt guilty as she felt she had a role to play in what had befallen her family. She just lost a sister (Olawunmi) who underwent surgery to cut off one of her breasts after she was diagnosed of breast cancer. Painfully, she died weeks after the surgery.

Continued: https://thenationonlineng.net/unsafe-abortion-taming-a-leading-silent-killer/

Nigeria – How preventing unwanted pregnancies can reduce abortion, deaths — Experts

by Sade Oguntola
August 31, 2023

INDUCED abortion is illegal in Nigeria, except when performed to save a woman’s life. Both the penal code, which is generally applied in the country’s northern states, and the criminal code, which generally applies in the southern states, allow this exception and the regions specify similar criminal penalties for noncompliance.

Yet, pregnancy terminations are quite common and because they are often performed clandestinely or by unskilled providers, they are sometimes unsafe. A recent survey indicated that unintended pregnancy and abortion are experienced by women worldwide.

Continued: https://tribuneonlineng.com/how-preventing-unwanted-pregnancies-can-reduce-abortion-deaths-experts/

Governor Sanwo-Olu moves to legalize abortion in Lagos state

By Naija247news Media Nigeria
November 25, 2022

Reports reaching Naija247News that Babajide Sanwo-Olu governor of Lagos state is planning to legalize abortion in Nigeria’s commercial capital.

Naija247News recalled that earlier in the year The Lagos State Government has developed a policy document on safe termination of pregnancy toward guiding healthcare professionals to provide safe and lawful abortion services in the state. Olusegun Ogboye, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, said this at a stakeholders’ meeting to launch the document on Tuesday in Lagos.

Continued: https://naija247news.com/2022/11/25/nigeria-moves-to-legalize-abortion/

Maternal Mortality: Nigerian experts applaud as IPPF launches free online medical abortion course

October 14, 2022
By Sola Ogundipe

Top Nigerian medical experts have applauded the launch of a free online medical abortion training course by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), aimed at stemming the tide of unsafe abortion and its complications globally.

Welcoming the development, the experts said the course which is specifically designed to equip healthcare workers with the necessary skills to provide care for women seeking medical abortion up to 13 weeks gestation, would go a long way in correcting the misinterpretation and misconception about safe abortion, legal abortion, medical abortion, and allied issues.

Continued: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/10/maternal-mortality-nigerian-experts-applaud-as-ippf-launches-free-online-medical-abortion-course/

Who wins the battle over Lagos abortion policy?

By CHINYERE OKOROAFOR
On Sep 19, 2022

The Lagos State abortion policy seeks to achieve safe termination of pregnancy within the ambits of the law. However, like many new policies, the initiative is mired in controversies, with opposition to it coming from many sides, including the Catholic Church. In this report, CHINYERE OKOROAFOR examines the issues.

On 28 June 2022, the Lagos State Government unveiled a 40-page policy document on safe termination of pregnancy. It was designed to reduce “preventable deaths” usually caused by unsafe abortion procedures. The policy is meant to guide medical practitioners and other stakeholders on when it is lawful or unlawful to terminate a pregnancy.

Continued: https://thenationonlineng.net/who-wins-the-battle-over-lagos-abortion-policy/

Lagos develops guidelines on safe, lawful abortion

“In 2011, the Lagos State House of Assembly updated the criminal code, providing for abortion to save the life and protect the physical health of the woman."

By Agency Report
June 29, 2022

The Lagos State Government has developed a policy document on safe termination of pregnancy toward guiding healthcare professionals to provide safe and lawful abortion services in the state.

Olusegun Ogboye, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, said this at a stakeholders’ meeting to launch the document on Tuesday in Lagos.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/539745-lagos-develops-guidelines-on-safe-lawful-abortion.html

Nigeria – Family planning, viable approach toward checking maternal mortality

Family planning, viable approach toward checking maternal mortality

On January 5, 2020

Amid increased advocacy for the adoption of birth control methods, many women, particularly in rural communities, still resist prescribed modern methods, thereby becoming pregnant so often and not having enough rest and intervals between their children.

The lack of rest also affects womens’ health, as their body may not get enough time and nutrients to recuperate before undergoing another cycle of pregnancy.

Continued: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/01/family-planning-viable-approach-toward-checking-maternal-mortality/

Nigeria – Sexual Reproductive Health: Role of Media

Sexual Reproductive Health: Role of Media

IJEOMA UMEH
Dec 2, 2019

The critical role of journalists in bringing Sexual Reproductive Health matters to public attention, making government accountable and promoting good outcomes formed crux of discourse during a two day workshop for media executives on Sexual Reproductive Health Reporting organized by Marie Stopes International Organization Nigeria (MSION) on November 14 to 16 in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.

The workshop brought to the front burner the grey issues of unmet need, low use of contraceptives and its contribution to maternal mortality in Nigeria and other developing countries.

Continued: https://nigerianobservernews.com/2019/12/sexual-reproductive-health-role-of-media/

Nigeria – How barriers to family planning trigger rise in maternal mortality

How barriers to family planning trigger rise in maternal mortality

By Adaku Onyenucheya
28 November 2019

Experts have emphasised on the need for Nigerians to embrace family planning fully as part of measures to curb maternal and infant mortality in the country.

They lamented that despite the drop in the fertility rate from 5.5 percent in 2013 to 5.3 percent in 2018, according to the Nigeria Demographic Health Survey (NDHS), with a two-percent increase in the total contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) from 15 percent to 17 percent, the acceptance rate of family planning in some communities still remain low due to several barriers such as religion, culture and fear of the unknown among others. The implications, they said, remain multiple pregnancies and births, population explosion that puts pressure of the nation resources, as well as unsafe abortions, which increases the risk of maternal and infant mortality in Nigeria.

Continued; https://guardian.ng/features/health/how-barriers-to-family-planning-trigger-rise-in-maternal-mortality/

28.11.2019