By Adejoke Adeleye
Participants at the public hearing regarding the proposed Ogun State Law on Safe Termination of Pregnancy, 2026, have praised the State House of Assembly for introducing the legislation.
They characterized the bill as a thoughtfully designed law intended to lower maternal death rates, safeguard medical practitioners, and establish a definitive legal structure for managing pregnancies safely within the State.
The participants comprised a former Chairman of the State section of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Azeem Adekunle Ashimi, the representative from the State chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Nurse Bello Adejoke, and the Onitafin of Otafin, Oba Morufu Alani Adebayo.
Other individuals included representatives from Civil Society Advocacy for Human Rights and Social Development, Alhaji Adesina Adefolahan, the League of Imam and Alfa in the State, Dr. Tajudeen Usman, the State branch of the Society for Gynecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON), Dr. Shorounmu Tessie, a representative from the State Command of the Nigeria Police, ACP Glory Agbor Otonko, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Comrade Yinka Folarin, and the Centre for Economic Empowerment and Gender Activities, Oduntan Bunmi, among others.
They also emphasized the importance of resolving the legal uncertainty related to safe abortion procedures.
They observed that the unclear nature of legal rules frequently caused harmful delays in treating patients, while requiring proper insurance for skilled healthcare professionals to avoid unfair consequences.
They also aimed to establish systems that would stop rape and incest victims from visiting unqualified practitioners, by making sure that only certified professionals offer these medical services.
In her statement, Dr. Tomi Coker, the Health Commissioner of Ogun State, mentioned that the proposed law would create a structure for protecting the lives and well-being of women; while also ensuring the safety of healthcare professionals providing these services.
She mentioned that the legislation would assist in lowering maternal death rates and ensure access to mental health support for women and girls facing emotional distress due to unintended pregnancies.
Earlier, in his comments, the Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Hon. Wahab Haruna, stated that the bill was introduced because “too many of our mothers, sisters, and daughters die or face severe harm due to complications from pregnancy and childbirth, most of which could have been prevented.”
He called on the involved parties to provide valuable input to the bill, promising that their suggestions would receive appropriate legal attention during the process of getting the bill approved.
Previously, when opening the stakeholders’ forum, the speaker of the Ogun Assembly, Oludaisi Elemide, stated that the proposed law aimed to establish “a legal and institutional structure for the safe termination of pregnancy within specified conditions.”
He pointed out that the Assembly addressed the rising number of unapproved abortions and viewed the resulting deaths among teenagers and women as intolerable prior to drafting the legislation.
The Speaker mentioned that the legislation would establish a legal structure that would not only protect the income sources of authentic healthcare professionals but also prevent wrongdoers from taking advantage of the lack of guidelines to carry out harmful activities within the community.
He stated that the law aims to promote safe childbirth, decrease maternal illness and death, and create the necessary conditions for secure pregnancy termination.
The Speaker also pledged to all attendees that each submission received would be thoroughly reviewed to ensure the bill addresses the concerns of all involved parties.
He conveyed assurance that the initiative would result in thorough legislation aimed at enhancing the safety of pregnancies within the State.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.Syndigate.info).
jasdooit 
Leave a comment