By; MATTHEW UKACHUNWA, Lagos
Lagos State Government has suspended its “State Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Indication” which was issued by the Directorate of Family Health and Nutrition of the state’s Ministry of Health.
The document was launched on 28th June 2022.
Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, explained in a statement dated 7th June 2022 that illegal abortions and high risk pregnancies which lead to unresolvable complications rank high among the several factors that contribute to maternal mortality.
“The Lagos State Ministry of Health is seeking different methods to eliminate illegal abortions and ensure that a mother does not die at childbirth, thereby disrupting an entire family unit.
“In this regard, it became imperative to examine, in keeping with existing National and State laws and policies, if there are indeed justifications and medical reasons to offer abortion to a woman whose life is threatened by a pregnancy.
“Following this, the guideline was developed over four years through painstaking work by experts in Law and in Obstetrics and Gynaecology with a focus on creating the opportunity to reduce maternal mortality and in line with existing laws,” Abayomi said in the statement titled, “Retractor on Guidelines Relating to Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Medical Reasons in Lagos State.”
He pointed out that the guidelines have generated immense public interest which has necessitated escalating it to the state’s Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu who directed that it should be suspended.
The governor also advised that there be further sensitization of the public and key stakeholders in order to ensure a clearer understanding of the objectives of the guidelines, according to Abayomi.
“To this end, we are suspending the implementation of these guidelines in the meantime for the Executive Council to deliberate on this matter and ensure adequate public sensitization and stakeholder engagement to reach a consensus required for a successful guideline development.
“The Lagos State Ministry of Health remains committed to planning , devising and implementing policies that promote qualitative, affordable, and equitable healthcare services to the citizenry,” the health commissioner clarified.
