Maternal health advocates have warned the Ogun State House of Assembly that unsafe termination of pregnancy remains a major contributor to maternal deaths, urging lawmakers to enact legislation that will strengthen access to safe reproductive healthcare and reduce preventable fatalities.
The call was made during a post public hearing review meeting on the proposed Safe Termination of Pregnancy Bill between members of the Assembly and a coalition of advocacy organisations, including the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, Gender Development Initiative, Centre for Community Development Health and Family Enhancement Initiatives, Centre for Reproductive Rights, IPAS Nigeria Health Foundation and Amplify Change.
Speaking at the meeting held in Ikeja, Lagos State, the Executive Director of the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, said maternal healthcare remained a major global and national concern, noting that more than 20 per cent of maternal deaths were linked to unsafe termination of pregnancy.
She said the review meeting was convened to examine issues raised during the public hearing, identify areas of consensus and address outstanding concerns before the bill proceeds further in the legislative process.
According to her, the engagement represents a collaborative effort among advocacy groups, health professionals and lawmakers to produce an inclusive law capable of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity in Ogun State.
The Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, represented by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Bolanle Lateefat Ajayi, said the Assembly’s discussions had gone beyond the provisions of the proposed legislation to focus on improving healthcare delivery and the welfare of residents.
“Our collective discussions have gone beyond the provisions of the Bill itself and have focused on the broader issue of improving healthcare services and the well-being of our people,” he said.
Elemide commended the advocacy groups for their contributions to the legislative process, assuring them that the Assembly remained committed to enacting laws that would positively impact the lives of Ogun residents.
“As we conclude, please be assured that the Ogun State House of Assembly remains committed to providing quality representation and enacting laws that positively impact the lives of our people,” he said.
The Chairman, House Committee on Health, Hon. Wahab Haruna, said all memoranda and recommendations received from stakeholders and development partners would be considered during the clause by clause review of the bill.
“We will pursue a law that is constitutional, implementable, and compassionate, one that balances public health, human rights, and our shared values as a people,” Haruna said.
He added that the House would continue to engage civil society organisations, professional bodies, traditional and religious leaders to ensure grassroots ownership of the legislation.
“This Bill is not about promoting any agenda. It is about preventing avoidable deaths and promoting safe motherhood in Ogun State,” he added.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of the Gender Development Initiative, Prof. Olubunmi Asimolowo, commended the Assembly for adopting an inclusive legislative process, saying the proposed legislation had progressed through the First and Second Readings following sustained advocacy, stakeholder engagement and technical consultations.
She said the public hearing reaffirmed that unsafe abortion remained a significant public health challenge, stressing that evidence based legislation was necessary to protect the lives and health of women and girls.
Asimolowo expressed confidence that the ongoing technical review would produce a legally sound and medically appropriate law capable of reducing preventable maternal deaths while strengthening access to quality reproductive healthcare in the state.
