North West MEC for Health and Social Development Rebecca Kasienyane, will in collaboration with medical practitioners in the province deliberate on matters related to pregnancy resolution with the people of Dr Segomotsi Mompati District. The aim of deliberations is to discourage women from using backstreet abortion "clinics" and encourage them to utilise facilities that are designated for this service across the province.
Since the implementation of the CTOP Act in 1996, the province has made available seventeen public hospitals, five private hospitals and three Community Health Centres for the service. Despite array of facilities available, a large number of women still use back street "clinics" for abortion and often flock back to the healthcare facilities with serious complications. This is not only costly to the Department but also creates a burden on the health care system.
In February 2009, eight complications cases were reported in the Potchefstroom hospital and that resulted in two foreign nationals being arrested. The practice is happening in all the cities; hence the department launched pregnancy resolution deliberations.
The deliberations will be held as follows:
Date: 30 July 2009
Venue: Sikhing, Taung
Time: 10h00
The media is invited.
Enquiries:
Tebogo Lekgethwane
Departmental Spokesperson
Cell: 082 929 9958 or 078 170 0037
E-mail: tlekgethwane@nwpg.gov.za
