Uganda – Unsafe Abortion: Less Privileged Girls Risk Succumbing to Complications Due to Exorbitant Post Abortion Treatment Costs

Esther Macula
October 7, 2020

Despite large reductions in pregnancy related deaths in Uganda over the past two decades (the maternal mortality ratio dropped from 684 to 100,000 live births in 1995 to 343 per 100,000 in 2015 as per Ministry of Health records), the high number of maternal deaths remains a public health challenge.

Unsafe abortion continues to contribute significantly
to maternal morbidity and mortality. A 2010 report by the Ministry of Health
estimated that 8% of maternal deaths were due to unsafe abortion.

Continued: https://chimpreports.com/unsafe-abortion-less-privileged-girls-risk-succumbing-to-complications-due-to-exorbitant-post-abortion-treatment-costs/

Jamaica – House committee recommends conscience vote on abortion

House committee recommends conscience vote on abortion

BY BALFORD HENRY, Senior staff reporter
Saturday, March 28, 2020

THE House of Representatives' Human Resources and Social Development Select Committee has recommended that Members of Parliament make a “conscience” vote to determine whether or not abortion should be legalised in Jamaica.

The recommendation was obviously the likeliest response from the 11-member committee, chaired by Opposition MP and Roman Catholic Deacon Ronald Thwaites, after listening to the divisive views of more than 70 local and overseas institutions, individuals and emotional experts for a little over two years.

Continued: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/house-committee-recommends-conscience-vote-on-abortion_190734?profile=1373

Statistics Sierra Leone to start survey on safe abortion

Statistics Sierra Leone to start survey on safe abortion

By Mabinty M. Kamara
16 March 2020

Statistics Sierra Leone, in Partnership with the African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC), an independent research institution based in Kenya, is set to conduct a research on resources available to access safe abortion in Sierra Leone.

The research, according to Samuel Ansumana, Director of Communication and Information at Statistic Sierra Leone, falls under a four-year project “Challenging the Politics of Social Exclusion” (CPSE) project to be implemented in Sierra Leone.

Continued: https://www.politicosl.com/articles/statistics-sierra-leone-start-survey-safe-abortion

Study reveals over 500,000 abortions are done yearly across the country

Study reveals over 500,000 abortions are done yearly across the country
Most of these abortions are usually unsafe and result in various complications.

By WANJA MBUTHIA
Feb 18, 2020

While Kenya has made remarkable strides in several health indicators over the last few years, maternal mortality and morbidity remain a menace. A significant number of these deaths result from complications arising from unsafe abortions.

A nationwide study by the African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other partners has revealed that over half a million abortions are procured in Kenya every year.

Continued: https://www.nation.co.ke/gender/over-500000-abortions-are-done-yearly-Kenya/5362750-5460496-i42pm8/index.html#

India – Explained: Why it is important to amend Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971?

Explained: Why it is important to amend Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971?

By Simran Kashyap
Published: Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Moving to ease abortion laws in the country, the Union Cabinet is likely to approve changes in the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971. The draft has been circulated by the ministry of health and family welfare.

According to the 2014 draft bill, the upper limit for termination of a pregnancy will be extended from 20 weeks to 24 weeks. This will help in decreasing maternal morbidity and mortality and may also help in preventing wastage of resources invested in a pregnancy and preserving the woman's health, strength, and above all, life.

Continued: https://www.oneindia.com/india/explained-why-it-is-important-to-amend-medical-termination-of-pregnancy-act-1971-3023256.html

29.01.2020

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Tanzania: It is time to act: Deaths and morbidity from unsafe abortion

It is time to act: Deaths and morbidity from unsafe abortion

Kenneth Simbaya
Dec 30, 2019

Reports have it that, despite family planning being mentioned as one of the most life-saving, empowering, and poverty fighter in families and nation at large; contraceptive prevalence in the country has remained low with statistics showing that only 38 percent of married women are using the services.

According to the Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey 2010, less than one in 10 (nine percent) of sexually active youth who want to avoid pregnancy use modern contraceptives. Worryingly, 22.8 per cent of young women between the ages of 15 and 19 are mothers.

Continued: https://www.ippmedia.com/en/features/it-time-act-deaths-and-morbidity-unsafe-abortion

30.12.2019

Tanzania Demographic Health Survey

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Nigeria – How preference for male child fuels maternal morbidity, mortality

How preference for male child fuels maternal morbidity, mortality

By Franka Osakwe
29 December 2019

After five un-spaced pregnancies and childbirths, all through Caesarian Section (CS), 35-year-old Ngozi Egbu, a resident of Anambra State still got pregnant again because she was looking for a male child.

During her sixth pregnancy, Egbu developed complications in the seventh month and now fighting for her life at the General Hospital Awka, Anambra State.

Continued: https://guardian.ng/sunday-magazine/how-preference-for-male-child-fuels-maternal-morbidity-mortality/

India – Woman’s Right to Abort Pregnancy Not an Absolute Right, Centre Tells Supreme Court

Woman's Right to Abort Pregnancy Not an Absolute Right, Centre Tells Supreme Court
The government said unsafe abortions contribute to 8 per cent of maternal mortality in India and continue to be the third largest cause of maternal mortality.

Utkarsh Anand
Updated:December 16, 2019

New Delhi: The central government has submitted in the Supreme Court that a woman's right to abort is not an absolute right.

Seeking dismissal of a PIL that sought complete autonomy for a woman to determine whether or not to continue with her pregnancy, the ministry of health and family welfare referred to the statement of object and reasons of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971.

Continued: https://www.news18.com/news/india/womans-right-to-abort-her-pregnancy-not-an-absolute-right-centre-tells-supreme-court-2425473.html

Tanzania – Maternal health: Life of a mother matters

Maternal health: Life of a mother matters

By Elizabeth Tungaraza
Friday November 1 2019

Debates and discussions by health stakeholders on how to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity in Tanzania have been continuing, reflecting at the toll of unsafe abortion and related maternal mortality.

Despite some promising progress recorded so far, reduction of maternal mortality and morbidity in Tanzania is still a challenge. Key findings of the 2015-16 Demographic and Health Survey and Malaria Indicator Survey (TDHS-MIS) shows that the estimated mortality and morbidity rate (MMR) of 556 deaths is “lower” than that recorded in the 2004-05 TDHS (578), but is higher than the ratios reported in the 2010 TDHS (454) and in the 2012 Population and Housing Census (432).

Continued: https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/magazine/Maternal-health--Life-of-a-mother-matters/1840564-5333370-b7fkdn/index.html

Safe Access to Abortion Crucial to Reducing Maternal Mortality in Kenya

Safe Access to Abortion Crucial to Reducing Maternal Mortality in Kenya
First Lady Kenyatta’s “Beyond Zero” Campaign Ignores Key Issue

March 14, 2019
Agnes Odhiambo, Senior Researcher, Women's Rights Division

Five years ago, Kenya’s First Lady, Margaret Kenyatta, launched the “Beyond Zero” campaign to eradicate preventable maternal and child mortality in Kenya. The initiative has drawn support and criticism in equal measure from Kenyans, and it has earned this criticism by ignoring a crucial aspect of women’s health – access to safe abortion.

A charity half marathon last weekend to mobilize resources for the campaign was met with wide-ranging criticism from Kenyans. Activists infiltrated part of the run to stage an anti-corruption protest, arguing that corruption and government failure to prosecute officials implicated in these crimes are the main factors behind Kenya’s failing health sector. Other critics say that the first lady’s campaign is diverting much-needed resources from the public health system.

Continued: https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/03/14/safe-access-abortion-crucial-reducing-maternal-mortality-kenya