LASUTH CMD seeks review of abortion laws

The Chief Medical Director (CMD), Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Prof. Adetokunbo O. Fabamwo, has stressed the need to review the existing laws on abortion in Nigeria to end maternal mortality.

Fabamwo, who spoke while delivering the sixth Abimbola Aina Omololu-Mulele Yearly Lecture in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the College of Medicine, Idi-Araba, said 610,000 unsafe abortions are carried out in the country yearly with more than 80 per cent done by quacks and inappropriate persons.

The yearly lecture is a platform for addressing issues in women’s health, particularly in obstetrics and gynaecology.

The CMD, in the lecture titled “The Tortuous Road to Maternal Mortality Reduction in Nigeria: Avoidable Stranglehold on Liberal Abortion Laws,” noted that in Nigeria, while maternal mortality figure is 1,500 women per 100,000 births, unsafe abortion is responsible for 13 per cent of the mortality figure.

“Nigeria still operates an abortion law that came into force in 1907. That is surely obsolete. Under that law, a rape victim who becomes pregnant in the process cannot abort the pregnancy. Also, a victim of incest cannot abort, no matter the emotional trauma or humiliation,” he said.

In her speech, Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, praised the late Abimbola Aina Omololu-Mulele for the legacy she left behind to cater for the health needs of other people.

Also, Chairman of the event, Prof. Giwa-Osagie, stressed the urgent need to address the country’s reproductive health challenges.

Meanwhile, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Omololu-Mulele Endowment, Prof. Oluwole Familoni, said there is need for continued collaboration to address Nigeria’s maternal health challenges and honour the legacy of Chief Omololu-Mulele, whose vision inspired the lecture series.

Provost of the College of Medicine, Prof. Adewale David Oke, called for a coordinated approach involving government’s support, sustained funding, and international partnerships to tackle maternal health challenges.