Ogun State Leads Charge Against Unsafe Abortions Amid Maternal Health Crisis

Ogun State Leads Charge Against Unsafe Abortions Amid Maternal Health Crisis

ESTHER SALIFU, Abuja

In a concerted effort to combat Nigeria’s alarming maternal mortality rates, stakeholders in Ogun State have intensified calls for comprehensive reproductive health reforms.

At a recent high-level roundtable in Abeokuta, medical professionals, legal experts, and policymakers emphasized the urgent need for increased awareness, robust legal frameworks, and improved access to reproductive health services to address the pervasive issue of unsafe abortions.

The stakeholders lauded Ogun State’s proactive measures, including the implementation of the Safe Termination of Pregnancy (STOP) Guidelines, which provide a standardized medical framework for legal abortions in cases such as rape, incest, or when the mother’s health is at risk. They urged other states to adopt similar guidelines to ensure women’s health and rights are protected nationwide.

“founder of the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre. Dr. Abiola Akiyode- Afolabi  disclosed that the program aims to save the lives of women and girls .

In her words she stated that “Unsafe abortion remains a leading cause of maternal deaths, yet it is one of the most preventable public health crises of our time,”

“Our program aims to save lives and prevent unnecessary deaths among women and girls.”

A gynecologist, Dr. Olonode Luqman, highlighted that unsafe abortions contribute to approximately 13% of maternal deaths in Nigeria.

He emphasized the importance of accessible information and services, particularly through national and state health insurance schemes, to make healthcare more affordable and reduce the incidence of unsafe procedures.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Adejumoke Adewole, added, “We must move beyond conversations and act swiftly. Women and girls are dying from preventable causes, and legislation must catch up with their realities.”

Executive Director of Uplifting Youth Through Agriculture, Princess Afoma Adigwe, also stressed the need for inclusive education, saying, “Young people need age-appropriate, accurate information about their bodies and rights. Silence is what fuels ignorance and endangers lives.”

The roundtable concluded with a unified call for the Nigerian government to take decisive action by enacting supportive legislation, increasing funding for reproductive health services, and launching nationwide awareness campaigns to educate the public on safe abortion practices and women’s reproductive rights.