Stakeholders at the public hearing on the proposed Ogun State Safe Termination of Pregnancy Law, 2026, have commended the State House of Assembly for initiating the bill, describing it as a well-conceived legislation.
According to them, it is aimed at reducing maternal mortality, protecting healthcare professionals and providing a clear legal framework for safe pregnancy management in the state.
The stakeholders included a former Chairman of the State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Dr Azeem Ashimi, the representative of the State chapter of National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Nurse Bello Adejoke, the Onitafin of Otafin, Oba Morufu Adebayo among others.
At the event on Thursday, they raised the need to address the legal ambiguity surrounding safe termination of pregnancy, noting that such ambiguity in the legal provisions often resulted in dangerous delays in patient care, calling for adequate indemnity for qualified medical practitioners to prevent unjust penalties.
They also advocated for machineries to be put in place to prevent the victims of rape and incest from patronizing quacks, by ensuring that only licensed professionals provide such medical services.
In her remarks, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, said the proposed legislation would establish a framework around safeguarding the lives and health of women; while also safeguarding health practitioners offering the services.
Coker added that the bill would help reduce maternal mortality and provide access to mental health services for women and girls experiencing emotional trauma arising from unwanted pregnancy.
Earlier in his remarks, the
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