The global crisis of unsafe abortions: A call for action

Published Oct 3, 2024
by Vuyile Madwantsi

Each year, around 73 million induced abortions take place globally. This astonishing number reveals a significant truth about reproductive health—abortion is not just a medical procedure; it is a common, often critical, element of healthcare.

Yet despite its frequency, nearly half of these abortions are unsafe, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

This is not just a developing-world issue; it’s a global crisis that affects women everywhere, from low-resource countries to first-world nations like the United States.

Continued; https://www.iol.co.za/lifestyle/health/the-global-crisis-of-unsafe-abortions-a-call-for-action-9e465261-14bd-453c-a613-e4ca535676cf#google_vignette

03.10.2024

Commentary

abortion stigma

complications of unsafe abortion

comprehensive sexual education

maternal mortality

Vuyile Madwantsi

World Health Organization

5 reasons why abortion is health care

Access to safe abortion care has a real impact on people’s lives and health, from preventing unsafe abortions and complications to upholding bodily autonomy.

September 26, 2024

At Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), we consider safe abortion care a critical part of our sexual and reproductive health care services—one that can save lives and support the well-being of our patients.

Our teams around the world work in countries with varying laws and cultural views on abortion. Every day, MSF staff see firsthand how access to safe abortion care has a real impact on people’s lives and health. Anyone who seeks an abortion—no matter their reason—is deserving of high-quality and dignified care. When patients can access safe abortion care in their communities, the risk of complications related to unsafely induced abortion significantly decreases. There are instances in which safe abortion care is medically necessary to preserve an individual’s health and well-being, or even save their life. As health providers, MSF is committed to upholding medical ethics and person-centered care, which includes access to safe abortion.

Continued: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/5-reasons-why-abortion-health-care

26.09.2024

Commentary

bodily autonomy

complications of unsafe abortion

decriminalization of abortion

Doctors Without Borders

Dr. Rasha Khoury

Médecins Sans Frontières

safe abortion

self-managed abortion

World Health Organization

Kenya: The New Cold War Over Access to Safe Abortion in Kenya

22 SEPTEMBER 2022
Inter Press Service

By Stephanie Musho and Ritah Anindo Obonyo

Nairobi — Fatuma is a 24 year old girl from Korogocho, an informal settlement
in Nairobi. She died in December 2021, from complications arising from an
unsafe abortion. Her friend and a few of her neighbors found her bleeding
profusely and unable to move. They rushed her to the hospital. Unfortunately,
she died before she could see the doctor.

Unfortunately, Fatuma's story is common for girls and women in Kenya. In fact,
at least 7 of them die every day from complications arising from unsafe
abortion. Worse still, is that with current trends - where 700 girls between
the ages of 10 and 19 are getting pregnant daily; the harrowing statistics on
abortions are likely to be worse. If Fatuma knew where she could access safe
abortion services, she would not have died.

Continued: https://allafrica.com/stories/202209230002.html

Preventing Needless Deaths Of Nigerian Women During Child Birth

By Chioma Umeha
On Apr 1, 2022

For decades, the question of why so many Nigerian women die during childbirth has remained unanswered. Nigeria has one of the highest maternal death rates in the world, according to available data.

The country’s mortality ratio of 512 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births far surpasses the global average of 254 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.

Continued: https://independent.ng/preventing-needless-deaths-of-nigerian-women-during-child-birth/