Guidelines on safe abortions important

The confusion clouding the country’s health sector over unsafe abortion is of great concern.

The Ministry of Health reportedly withdrew a set of guidelines regarding what constitutes safe abortion.

Medical practitioners are now faced with a dilemma on the same. This is not healthy for any nation that is serious about its people.

Our legal system has failed to address the issue of ‘safe’ abortion conclusively. When to procure or induce an abortion is a matter largely left with qualified medical practitioners.

The Constitution in regard to termination of pregnancy says: “Abortion is not permitted unless in the opinion of a trained health professional, there is need for emergency treatment, or the life or health of the mother is in danger, or if permitted by any other written law.”

To leave such an important aspect of human rights in the hands of persons with vested interests is to permit the violation of the same law.

If recent reports from doctors who recommend Caesarian sections to unsuspecting women for the money are anything to go by, we need to worry just what these health ‘professionals’ can do to induce abortions.

Human rights suffer when there are no clear guidelines.