Ogun permits abortion for rape victims, others

The Ogun state government has permitted abortion in limited circumstances including those of rape, incest, cancer, and hypertension among others.

This followed the launch of a document tagged Safe Termination of Pregnancy (STOP).

The state Commissioner of Health, Dr Tomi Coker, said the initiative was meant for the well-being of pregnant women “whose pregnancy could pose danger to their lives and physical health.”

Coker, however, said the document does not amount to legalising abortion by the government.

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She said the document was put together in order to reduce preventable deaths among women of childbearing age and victims of domestic violence.

Speaking during the launch of STOP, Coker said the policy provides a standard medical management of victims of Gender Based Violence (GBV).

“I like to point out that this document is important for health care workers that encounter women in this category.  It must be emphasized that Ogun State does not legalise abortion.

“What we are doing is giving standardized medical service for women that find themselves in certain situations such as rape, incest, cancer, and hypertension among others,” Coker Said.