Governor Sanwo Olu Suspends Lagos Abortion Policy

By Akinwale Kasali

The Lagos State government has suspended the state’s guidelines on safe termination of pregnancy.

Professor Akin Abayomi, state Commissioner for Health, made the disclosure in a statement in Lagos.

Abayomi noted that the guidelines have generated immense public interest which necessitated the intervention of  Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu.

Abayomi said the governor has now directed that further sensitisation of the public and key stakeholders to continue to ensure a better understanding of the objectives of the guidelines.

“To this end, we are suspending the implementation of these guidelines in the meantime for the Executive Council to deliberate on this matter and ensure adequate public sensitisation and stakeholder engagement to reach a consensus required for a successful guideline development,” he said.

According to him, the ministry is seeking different methods to eliminate illegal abortions and ensure that a mother does not die at childbirth, thereby disrupting an entire family unit.

The commissioner said that illegal abortions and high risk pregnancies leading to unresolved  complications rank high among the several factors that contribute to maternal mortality.

“In this regard, it became imperative to examine, in keeping with existing national and state laws and policies, if there are indeed justifications and medical reasons to offer abortion to a woman whose life is threatened by a pregnancy,” he said.

The commissioner said the guideline was developed over four years through painstaking work by experts in law and in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Abayomi noted that the guidelines are focused on creating the opportunity to reduce maternal mortality in line with existing laws.

He said that the ministry remains committed to planning, devising and implementing policies that promote qualitative, affordable, and equitable healthcare services to the citizens.

The 40-page document titled: “Lagos State Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Indications,” was issued by the ministry’s Directorate of Family Health and Nutrition.

The document released on June 28 sets out guidelines for safe termination of pregnancy within the ambit of the criminal law of Lagos State.