Ipas Nigeria Heath Foundation has disclosed that “Unsafe abortions are one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in Nigeria, contributing up to 15% of maternal deaths”.
Key Statistics in Nigeria as contained in a statement made available by Ipas shows that 4.6% of women of reproductive age (15-49 years) undergo an abortion each year, equaling nearly 2 million abortions annually.
The statement noted that “more than 6 out of 10 abortions in Nigeria are unsafe”, stressing that “Unsafe abortion contributes about 13% – 30% to the total maternal deaths.
“Maternal mortality is 1047 per 100,000 live births (behind South Sudan and Chad)” the statement added.
In a bid to strengthen the capacity of the healthcare system to reduce preventable deaths from unsafe abortions and provide quality Post Abortion Care services, Ipas in partnership with the Kano State Ministry of Health, State Primary Healthcare Management Board, and Hospital Management Board donated reproductive health commodities and equipment to the Kano state government.
According to the statement, the donation of reproductive health commodities and equipment was majorly to reduce maternal mortality in Kano State, Nigeria.
“Unsafe abortions are one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in Nigeria, contributing up to 15% of maternal deaths.
“As part of the Government’s objectives to Ending Preventable Maternal Mortality, Ipas Nigeria Health Foundation is working in Kano State to support healthcare systems with relevant health commodities including – Uterine pelvic models, Manual Vacuum Aspirators (MVA), and Medical Abortion Combipacks,” the statement said.
The statement explained further that the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Yusuf, maintained that ending maternal mortality in Kano state is one of the primary objectives of the State Ministry of Health, assuring that women in Kano State have access to Post-Abortion Care across all the health facilities.
“I commend the leadership of the Ipas Country Director, Mr. Lucky Palmer, for initiatives like this and together we will continue to work to ensure no woman dies from unsafe abortion in Nigeria’’.
“The partnership between the Kano State Ministry of Health and Ipas has come a long way and we are grateful for the donation of these vital health commodities and equipment,” he said.
Earliet, the Country Director, Ipas Nigeria Health Foundation, represented by the Senior Advisor Programs Samsu Gombwer, says ‘Ipas Nigeria has had a long-time commitment to strengthening healthcare systems in a bid to strengthen the delivery of post-abortion care services and reduce maternal mortality.
“This is one of our many targeted efforts and we appreciate the partnership and support of the Kano State Ministry of Health to sustain the gains we will achieve through these donations,” said Gombwer.
Ipas Nigeria Health Foundation works to empower women and girls to have bodily autonomy and exercise their sexual and reproductive health rights. As partners for reproductive justice, we build collective action that transforms societies to enable women, girls, and vulnerable persons manage their fertility and realize their full potential.
