Although abortion remains illegal in Botswana the Ministry of Health and Wellness is seeking ways to make abortion safe as it is the third leading cause of maternal death in Botswana.
The disturbing revelation was made by Minister of Health and wellness Dr. Edwin Dikoloti during the second world patient safety day commemoration last week.
The event, was held under the theme” safe maternal and new born care” at Matlapana Old Bridge in Maun.
Through the theme the World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged all stake holders, “To act now for safe and respectful births.”
According to Dikoloti after realising that abortion is one of the leading causes of maternal morbidity, maternity post abortion care services has been strengthened.
“This care includes post abortion counselling and initiation of family planning to reduce recurrence of unplanned and unwanted pregnancies that could lead to abortion. My ministry is also engaging with different stakeholders for options of making abortion safe,” said Dikoloti.
The head of Ngami DHMT, Sandra Maripe has also highlighted that teenage pregnancy is the leading contributor to maternal deaths for girls aged 15 to 19 years globally.
“For many adolescents, pregnancy is neither planned nor wanted. In countries like ours where we still have conscientious objections against abortion, adolescents typically resort to unsafe abortion putting their health and lives at risk.” Highlighted Maripe.
“Pregnant girls and adolescents also face other health risks due to their immature bodies, babies from younger mothers are also at high risk of complications,” added Maripe.
The World Health Organisation reports that worldwide about 810 women die every day from preventable causes related to pregnancy and delivery while around 6700 newborns die every day.
While it is good to increase access to emergency post-abortion care as well as better access to post-abortion contraception to prevent further unintended and unwanted pregnancy, it is also crucial to make all abortions safe before they happen so as to avoid complications and deaths from abortions that are currently dangerous and life-threatening because they are illegal and provided in an unsafe way. Training for primary care providers to do abortions is a good place to start to reduce morbidity and deaths. Making abortion legal and promoting access to safe abortions without delays and barriers is the next logical thing to do.