North-West MEC for Health, Dr Magome Masike has come out to urge women to use legal and designated abortion sites for the sake of their own health. Since the implementation of the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act no 92 of 1996, the North West province has designated eighteen (18) hospitals and fourteen (14) community health centres to render the service.
Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act as amended by Act no 01 of 2008 promotes women’s reproductive health rights and extents freedom of choice by affording every woman the right to choose whether to have early, safe and legal termination of pregnancy according to her individual beliefs. The act also gives women of any age or marital status access to abortion services on request during the first twelve weeks of pregnancy and in certain cases extends the access to the first twenty weeks of pregnancy. Women seeking these services are urged to report to the designated facilities as early as possible as there is a cut off period.
A study conducted by Jane Harries from (WHRU)on2 March 2007; indicates that most women settle for illegal abortion due to lack of information about the service, delayed acceptance of the options, late identification of pregnancy after three months, conflict of emotions and lack of access. Adding to these challenges is a worrying increase in illegal backstreet abortionists throughout the province.
“Previously people used to complain about not knowing where to find these services in our province. I can now confirm that termination of pregnancy services are available and safe in designated facilities of the province”, said MEC Masike.
“While we urge people to use the service, it is important to prioritise family planning. Family planning is the planning of when to have children and the use of birth control and other techniques to implement such plans. Other techniques commonly used include sexuality education, prevention and management of sexually transmitted infections, pre-conception counseling and management, and infertility management,” explained MEC
Dr. Masike also said that the problem facing the department is that most of the people who use these backstreet abortionists often flock back to the health care facilities with serious complications. This is not only costly to the department but also creates a burden on the health care system. It is for that reason that women must stop using backstreet abortionists to save themselves and the limited resources we have.
Enquiries:
Tebogo Lekgethwane
Cell: 082 929 9958
E-mail: tlekgethwane@nwpg.gov.za
