By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
The Network of Reproductive Health Journalists of Nigeria, NRHJN, a media advocacy group on sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls, has called on Governor Babajide Sanwoolu to empower the Lagos State Ministry of Health to commence an enlightenment campaign on the relevance and importance of the suspended Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Indications in the state.
The call was contained in a press statement jointly signed by Yinka Shokunbi, National President and Hajia Sekinah Lawal National Secretary, saying that , “as media stakeholders and Reproductive health writers, we were excited at the launch of the policy document which actually gives the needed teeth to the safe engage initiative which the state launched in 2018”
The Network thinks a guideline such as the one launched by the Lagos State on safe termination of pregnancy for legal indications is most welcome at this time because it is not for use by everybody but only for medical practitioners in the business of reproductive health of women and girls.
“No woman should lose her life or compromise her physical or mental health from conditions that can be prevented while trying to bring another life to being”, said NRHJN.
The statement also contained the Network’s position, urging the Lagos State government through the State Ministry of Health not to allow the guidelines become moribund or extinct from its suspension and that the Governor should direct the State Commissioner for Health to immediately initiate strategies and plans to re-train and equip the health care providers in the public and private sectors with the relevant skills and resources to carry out their roles as contained in the guidelines.
The Network also urged the Lagos State Government to give reference to the National guidelines on safe termination of pregnancy for legal indications that was similarly released and launched in 2018 during the tenure of former Health Minister, Professor Isaac Folorunsho Adewole.
The Network also inferred that the Lagos State Government Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Indications which was adopted from the 4-year old national document has not been revoked or suspended despite the contentious views and opinions on it.
The SRH advocates further suggested that stakeholders should be availed with copies of State Guidelines so as to be informed of the content and be properly guided on its application.