By Palma Ileye
Country Director of the new brand ipas Nigeria Health Foundation, Lucky Palmer, has expressed concern over the incessant cases of unsafe abortion in the country, saying, 11% of maternal mortality deaths in Nigeria were caused by unsafe abortion.
This is as expert in sexual reproductive health said 6 out of 10 abortion in Nigeria were unsafe.
Palmer who spoke in Abuja at the lunch of the new brand ipas Nigeria Health Foundation, said Nigeria today has one of the highest maternal mortality deaths in the world, stating that the country needed to do more in the area of protecting sexual reproductive health.
He said the parents have the duty of educating the girl child on her sexual reproductive right to unable her speak for herself on issues of abortion and other sexual reproductive health.
The country Director hinted that the new ipas which transformed from international Non governmental organization to Nigerian non governmental organization, would refocus on sexual reproductive health and promote a situation where all people have the right and ability to determine their own sexuality and reproductive health.
He said government has, through the ministry of women affairs tried to mobilise fund and partners to advance the efforts to safe reproductive health in the country.
The country Director called on relevant stakeholders and partners to join hands with the organisation to work towards reducing maternal and mortality deaths resulting from unsafe abortion in the country.
Speaking at the event, former ipas country representative, Ejike Orji said the nation has failed womanhood in the area of protecting women sexual right, lamenting that sexual violence has now become an epidemic in the country.
According to him. “6 out of 10 abortion in Nigeria are unsafe”, the situation he said calls for immediate attention, if the country must stop or reduce the ugly trend.
He said “most of the victims of the unsafe abortion first patronised quacks before coming to health centre, thereby making the issue complicated to handle”.
Orji therefore called on the management of the new ipas to prioritise safe abortion care, urging them to work more with external partners to achieve the feat.
