Delta State government on Thursday warned medical personnel who provide any underage girl child abortion pills, and contraception that endangered her life to desist outright or face prosecution at the court of law.
The State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General (AG), Ohwovoriole Ekemejero (SAN) gave the warning at the World Contraception Day held in Asaba, the State capital.
Ohwovoriole who spoke via the Director Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence unit, Mrs. Patricia Akanagwuna, said providing minor access to these facilities without the consent of the girl child’s parents or guardian is illegal in the eye of the law, and those involved must be punished accordingly.
He however advised the medical personnel to as principles, “allowed individual women to make informed choices about their reproductive health, free from coercion or judgment, in addition to Protecting their right to confidentiality when seeking contraceptive services.”
A Senior Lecturer, the University of Benin (UNIBEN) and Project Director, University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Dr. Jedidiah Sodje disclosed that Nigeria is currently facing significant challenges in maternal and child health.
According to him, “statistics revealed that the Country is having the highest maternal and child mortality rates in the world, leading to the death of approximately 512 woman per 100,000 live births, and one in eight children does not reach their fifth birthday”.
To reduce these alarming statistics, Sodje advised “we key into family planning”, saying it provides individuals and couples with the means to decide the number and spacing of their children
He noted that family planning empowers women to plan their lives and secure healthier futures for their family.
“When women access contraceptive methods, they are more likely to avoid unplanned and unwanted pregnancies, which are often associated with higher risks of maternal and child mortality,” he said.
He said effective family planning programs help to space pregnancies to allow mothers’ bodies to recover fully between births.
“This is crucial as closely spaced pregnancies increase the risk of complications that can result in long-lasting morbidities and mortality.
“Family planning enables adolescents and youth to attain better heights in education and be able to contribute more significantly to national development.”
