A two-man delegation from Sierra Leone has returned to Freetown after adequately representing the country in the “2016 Africa Regional Conference on Abortion: From Research to Policy” held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.The delegation comprising Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation II, Hon. Zulianatu Cooper and Senior Medical Superintendent at the Princess Christian Maternity (Cottage) Hospital Obstetrician/Gynecologists Dr. Alimamy Philip Koroma. They joined 250 researchers, policymakers, advocates, health care providers, youth, journalists, and donors, all focused on reducing the detrimental impact of unsafe abortion on African women, especially among young women and adolescents.They discussed issues ranging from research to policy into action toward ending unsafe abortion in Africa.Speaking to this reporter on Wednesday 14th December 2016, Dr. Alimamy Philip Koroma said the Conference was organized by the Guttmacher Institute, African Population and Health Research Center and Ipas. He said it builds on a decade of work linking research to action to reduce unsafe abortion in Sub-Saharan Africa.According to him, an estimated 56 million abortions occur each year worldwide, adding that the proportion of abortions that are performed under unsafe conditions is not currently known. He said complications from unsafe abortions are common in developing regions like Sierra Leone, where the procedure is often highly restricted.He said in Africa, women have more than eight million abortions each year, many of which are unsafe.“About 1.6 million women in the region are treated annually for complications from unsafe abortion - many women experience complications and do not receive the treatment they need. According to the most recent estimates, at least 9% of maternal deaths in Africa annually are due to unsafe abortion.” The doctor stated. It is estimated that 90% of African women of childbearing age live in countries with restrictive abortion laws, and even where the law allows abortion under certain circumstances, few women are able to navigate the processes required to obtain a safe and legal procedure.Unsafe abortion is a major public health problem, not only in countries where access to safe abortion is highly restricted, but also where it is legally allowed. The Africa Regional Conference on Abortion highlighted findings from research studies and how they have contributed to changes in policy and practice, as well as improvements in abortion policy and programs, during the last decade. The Conference also celebrates more than a decade since passage of the law in Ethiopia that decriminalized abortion and paved the way for a national safe abortion program under a broad set of conditions. Related stories: By Alimamy Turay
A two-man delegation from Sierra Leone has returned to Freetown after adequately representing the country in the “2016 Africa Regional Conference on Abortion: From Research to Policy” held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.The delegation comprising Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation II, Hon. Zulianatu Cooper and Senior Medical Superintendent at the Princess Christian Maternity (Cottage) Hospital Obstetrician/Gynecologists Dr. Alimamy Philip Koroma. They joined 250 researchers, policymakers, advocates, health care providers, youth, journalists, and donors, all focused on reducing the detrimental impact of unsafe abortion on African women, especially among young women and adolescents.They discussed issues ranging from research to policy into action toward ending unsafe abortion in Africa.Speaking to this reporter on Wednesday 14th December 2016, Dr. Alimamy Philip Koroma said the Conference was organized by the Guttmacher Institute, African Population and Health Research Center and Ipas. He said it builds on a decade of work linking research to action to reduce unsafe abortion in Sub-Saharan Africa.According to him, an estimated 56 million abortions occur each year worldwide, adding that the proportion of abortions that are performed under unsafe conditions is not currently known. He said complications from unsafe abortions are common in developing regions like Sierra Leone, where the procedure is often highly restricted.He said in Africa, women have more than eight million abortions each year, many of which are unsafe.“About 1.6 million women in the region are treated annually for complications from unsafe abortion - many women experience complications and do not receive the treatment they need. According to the most recent estimates, at least 9% of maternal deaths in Africa annually are due to unsafe abortion.” The doctor stated. It is estimated that 90% of African women of childbearing age live in countries with restrictive abortion laws, and even where the law allows abortion under certain circumstances, few women are able to navigate the processes required to obtain a safe and legal procedure.Unsafe abortion is a major public health problem, not only in countries where access to safe abortion is highly restricted, but also where it is legally allowed. The Africa Regional Conference on Abortion highlighted findings from research studies and how they have contributed to changes in policy and practice, as well as improvements in abortion policy and programs, during the last decade. The Conference also celebrates more than a decade since passage of the law in Ethiopia that decriminalized abortion and paved the way for a national safe abortion program under a broad set of conditions. Related stories: By Alimamy Turay