Eliminating the Scourge of Illegal Termination of Pregnancy – a Call to Action

SPONSORED SUPPLEMENT CAMPAIGN ON ILLEGAL TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY #StopIllegalAbortionDeaths Eliminating the scourge of illegal termination of pregnancy – a call to action Information containing warnings on the danger of illegal termination of pregnancy providers and where safe termination of pregnancy services are offered have been distributed during awareness marches held throughout the province. Pictured at one of these events, KZN Health MEC Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo helps remove posters advertising illegal termination of pregnancy services. N November 17, the KwaZulu- “The product, illegal termination of pregnancy, is skillfully marketed and sold to the affordable,” continued Dhlomo.“And Natal Health MEC, Dr women must have an emotionally safe OSibongiseni Dhlomo launched woman at the crisis time in her life. She buys the product, finds it defective and wants space in which to make their decision.” the province’s Campaign on illegal to return it for a refund. But, it’s too late.”– KZN Health MEC, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo “Unsafe termination of pregnancy Termination of Pregnancy.The have eaten into our society, gradually initiative is an urgent call for action Africa still remains a place where ranks and shopping centres, makes of pregnancy are undergone by young destroying the lives of young women, against illegal termination of women choose backstreet providers many women believe they are people between the ages of 13 and 19 as people have closed their eyes to pregnancy and aims to highlight the against the widespread available accessing a legitimate service.” years, and that these take place the issue, hoping it would disappear.” dangers of illegal termination of government-sanctioned centres. The Department’s concern about outside a hospital or clinic EThekwini reported the highest pregnancy while also promoting “It is actually disappointing that 18 illegal termination of pregnancy – and The campaign will call for support number of incomplete termination of access to safe, legal services as a years after the promulgation of The its determination to drive the of women’s autonomy to make their pregnancy (3 577) followed by women’s health and human rights Choice of Termination of Pregnancy campaign forward – are borne out by own decisions whether and when to uMkhanyakude (797) and Ugu (780). issue.The campaign will therefore also Act, introduced in 1996, we still have the following statistics: have children and have access to the Women find themselves in promote women’s right to access women being maimed and dying as a Just in the past financial year, KZN means of acting on those decisions desperate situations with unwanted public health centres and be provided result of illegal and unsafe termination had 12 031 patients admitted in without risk to their health and lives. pregnancy – and frequently end up with adequate support.The of pregnancy. various health facilities in the province MEC Dhlomo stressed that the turning to unlicensed termination of Department aims to raise the issue of “What is alarming is that we see these due to incomplete termination of choice for an termination of pregnancy pregnancy providers in fear of social social stigma which, it is believed, illegal termination of pregnancy pregnancy, while 1 455 patients were “is about freedom – women’s personal stigma and unsupportive partners and forces women to risk dangerous illegal providers on the street corners, admitted due to septic termination of freedom”. relatives. termination of pregnancy for fear of distributing their illegal termination of pregnancy. “It is about respect – respect for Dhlomo concluded by saying: “This judgement and abuse. pregnancy pamphlets. We also see According to the 2012 Saving women’s morality.It is about campaign is a call to action to keep Speaking at the launch event held these adverts plastered on nearly all Mothers report, in South Africa 186 responsibility – responsibility for self fighting for reproductive freedom if we in the uMgungundlovu District, MEC, the street walls and lamp posts. women died of a septic miscarriage in and family.And it is also about trust – want reproductive health. But it Dr Dhlomo outlined the thinking “These adverts are professing ‘safe’, public health facilities; 23 percent of trusting women’s judgement.” For shouldn’t be necessary.We should be behind and reasons for the campaign: ‘pain free’, ‘quick’ and ‘cheap’ which were caused by unsafe or illegal women to freely make their own past this … (we should) be fighting “It is indeed a matter of great concern termination of pregnancy. termination of pregnancy. decisions about pregnancy and about how we are going to ensure that despite South Africa having one “The proliferation of this A study by the South African termination of pregnancy, they must women’s reproductive health, not of the most progressive termination of advertising, and the fact that it is Medical Research Council in 2010 have information about options.Their whether or not women’s reproductive pregnancy laws in the world, South posted in public spaces such as taxi reported that 49 percent of termination options must be safe, accessible, and health is in trouble.” FIGHTING DISEASE FIGHTING POVERTY KZN Health MEC GIVING HOPE Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo SPONSORED SUPPLEMENT CAMPAIGN ON ILLEGAL TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY #StopIllegalAbortionDeaths MEC Dhlomo calls Frequently asked questions for more action from NPA, SAPS on illegal termination about sexual health of pregnancy OMETIMES it’s hard to talk about sexual health in the open, so here’s a list of KWAZULU-NATAL Health MEC, Sfrequently asked questions for when you Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, took the need some quick answers. fight against illegal termination of pregnancy to Port Shepstone (Ugu I think I might have a sexually transmitted infection District) on November 30, 2015, (STI) or other sexual health issue, what should I where he handed over a do? memorandum to the South African If you’re worried you might have an STI or have a Police Services (SAPS) and the specific medical question, we recommend you National Prosecuting Authority contact a clinic or your doctor for more information. (NPA), calling for support and action against the scourge. Can I get an STI from oral sex? Speaking outside the Port Yes. Unprotected oral sex can leave you vulnerable Shepstone Civic Centre after to STIs, particularly chlamydia, gonorrhea and leading a march through the herpes. It’s best to use a condom or dam and central business district, Dhlomo water-based lube when you’re having oral sex. implored SAPS and the NPA to ensure that: Can I still get an STI if I don’t sleep around? Yes. If you’ve ever had unprotected sex with 1.They fulfil their constitutional anyone who has an STI, you could get an STI – mandate by identifying areas this includes vaginal, oral and anal sex. where illegal termination of pregnancies are taking place, Would I know if I had an STI? investigate, arrest and prosecute Not necessarily.Many people with an STI don’t perpetrators to the full might of have symptoms. the law; Is it true that STIs are pretty rare among young 2.The so called “termination of people? pregnancy clinics” are identified, No.Young people account for approximately one in their owners are prosecuted and every two of all reported STIs. the buildings shut down; Are Vaseline, massage oils or moisturizer ok to 3. Posters, pamphlets and use as a lubricant with latex condoms? materials advertising illegal No. Oil based products like Vaseline, massage oils termination of pregnancies or moisturizer can cause latex to disintegrate, so should be removed by their you should use a water based lubricant with placers as they murky municipal condoms, gloves and dams. Some common spaces; water-based lubricants and silicone-based lubricants are also safe to use with condoms. 4.The police investigate all fraudulent health care Is it ok to use two condoms? practitioners as they are breaking No. Although it might seem extra safe, wearing two the law and endangering the lives condoms or “double-bagging” will increase the of citizens; friction between them and make them more likely to tear or break. 5. All women presenting to health institutions (hospitals and clinics) If I’ve had a pap smear does that mean I’ve had a with complications following sexual health check? illegal termination of pregnancy, No. Pap smears will only screen for HPV (Human should be assisted to open cases papillomavirus) not for other STIs like chlamydia, against the perpetrator; and gonorrhea and HIV.It’s a good idea to ask for a sexual health test when you go to get a pap smear. 6.The SAPS and Department of Health commit to working I’ve heard that only gay people get HIV, is that together in removing these rogue true? elements from unsuspecting No. HIV does not discriminate and can affect citizens so as to eradicate the anyone of any gender, age, race or sexuality. scourge of illegal termination of Courtesy of LA Times pregnancies. Source:WHO KZN Health increases number of legal termination of pregnancy facilities THE KwaZulu-Natal Department of received training on medical and undergo this training are also those health care professionals who importance of upholding Health has increased the number of surgical termination of pregnancy, trained and debriefed on how to pass moral judgement on young professional ethics at all times. This public health facilities offering safe as well as value clarification deal with social stigma, both in people when they seek reproductive includes creating a conducive and legal termination of pregnancy (understanding of the difference society and in the workplace. The health services. This, he said, was a environment for everyone who by nearly 300 percent in just a year. between their own personal values Department is also now contributing factor to the rate of seeks health care, regardless of The number of facilities offering versus professional ethos).

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