97% rate of unsafe abortions ‘occur in Africa’

Up to 97 percent of unsafe abortions occur in African countries, including Nigeria, according to Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).

The organisation said it is important for women to have access to safe abortions because the complications associated with unsafe abortions – not carried out under medical supervisions – are dire and among the most common causes of maternal mortality in Africa.

In an interview published on MSF’s website, Catrin Schulte-Hillen, MSF adviser on sexual and reproductive health, said complications from abortions, including severe hemorrhaging, infections, and peritonitis cause injury, sterility, and even death.

“Abortions performed by untrained persons, and in poor sanitary conditions, can lead to fatal complications for women and girls,” Schulte-Hillen said.

“Complications due to unsafe abortions are among the leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide.”

She emphasised on the importance of respecting the reason women and young girls want to have abortion.

Schulte-Hillen spoke about the risks MSF faces in the line of carrying out safe abortions, including “conflicts and repercussion”.

“Safe abortions are an obvious medical need, yet still very neglected. MSF must not give up on dealing with this problem just because “it’s complicated,” she said.

“We have to be ready to accept and deal with conflicts and possible repercussions while striving to reduce the risks for women.

“Confidentiality is also of utmost importance, in order to protect women and young girls who have chosen to have an abortion.”

Schulte-Hillen said MSF is committed to communicating, clearly, about abortion, explaining its medical mission, arguments, and justifications for providing women with safe abortions.