The MEC for Health in the North-West province, Dr Magome Masike will lead a march against illegal abortions advocating for contraception use. The theme of the march is “No to unsafe illegal abortions, Yes to family planning”.
Background
The department has seen a rise in the number of incomplete abortions especially around the area of Matlosana in Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District. Between the 2012/13 and 2013/14 financial years, the number of recorded incomplete abortions have increased from 164 to 713 in Matlosana alone although it is difficult to confirm whether they are due to natural causes or whether they have been induced.
According to the National Committee on Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths (NCCEMD) report of 2008-2010, there has been a significant increase of maternal deaths associated with septic abortions from 3.4 % to 31% in 2005 to 2007.
This is a worrying factor which needs urgent intervention by the Department because it has a direct negative impact on the Millennium Development Goal 4 of “reducing child mortality rates” and Goal 5 of “Improving maternal health”.
Another factor compounding the situation is the mushrooming of “Bogus Doctors” who are robustly advertising their “illegal abortion” services all over the country. The aim of the March is therefore to fight back vigorously with positive messages that advocates for family planning and safe abortion services rendered by the public health facilities across the province.
Currently there are 50 health facilities designated to offer safe abortion services across the North-West Province as according to the CTOP act 92 of 1996 as amended in 2014. In Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District, there are four designated fully operational health facilities namely, Klerksdorp/Tshepong Hospital Complex, Nic-Bodenstein Hospital in Wolmaranstad, Potchefstroom Hospital and J.B Marks Community Health Centre (CHC) in Ventersdorp. On top of these public facilities the District also has two private CTOP facilities namely, Wilmed Park Clinic and Matlosana Women’s Clinic.
The event is scheduled to take place as follows:
Date: 18 September 2014
Time: 8h00
Venue: Klerksdorp Hospital (Helicopter Bay).
The Media is therefore invited to attend and cover the event.
Enquiries:
Tebogo Lekgethwane
Provincial Spokesperson
Cell: 082 929 9958
