The President of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Ogun State branch, Dr Deborah Osisanwo, has raised concerns over the rising cases of maternal mortality linked to unsafe abortions in the state, urging residents to seek reproductive health services from qualified medical practitioners rather than quacks.
Osisanwo gave the warning at a one-day training for civil society organizations on basic reproductive health issues and the reduction of unsafe abortions, held in Abeokuta.
She stressed that every life, particularly that of mothers, is important and must be protected, calling on unqualified individuals involved in abortion-related practices to desist from such acts and refer affected cases to professional health facilities.
“Please, if you don’t know how to do it, if you are a quack, once you see a case of abortion, kindly refer them to secondary facilities. We will be happy if you do that, and we will be saving the life of that mother,” she said.
Osisanwo disclosed that the Ogun State Government had launched an abridged, pocket-sized version of the Safe Termination of Pregnancy (STOP) guidelines to protect doctors and guide safe medical practices in the state. She added that the initiative was aimed at reducing unsafe abortions and encouraging community members to seek help from trained health practitioners without fear.
She noted that the activities of quacks remain a major contributor to maternal deaths in the state, emphasizing the need for timely medical intervention and increased public awareness.
Health experts at the training also called on community leaders and civil society organizations to intensify advocacy and grassroots sensitization on reproductive health issues to curb unsafe abortions and improve maternal health outcomes across Ogun State.
