Gynaecologists and other stakeholders are worried about the high maternal mortality rate associated with unsafe abortions.

They say that if people embrace the use of contraceptives and other modern family planning methods, the rate will decrease.

Instances abound of couples that continue to have children against their wishes, just because they do not know how to apply any of the modern family planning methods which have proved to be efficacious with correct and consistent use, over time.

A study commissioned by Society of Gynaecologists and Obstetrics of Nigeria and Federal Ministry of Health shows that 20,000 women die from unsafe abortions in Nigeria annually.

The World Health Organisation defines unsafe abortion as a “procedure for terminating an unintended pregnancy either by individuals without the necessary skills or in an environment that does not conform to minimum medical standards.’’

The world body also notes that “an estimated 200 million couples in developing countries would like to delay or stop childbearing, but are not using any method of contraception. ’’

Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, Executive Secretary, FCT Primary Health Care Development Board (PHCDB), notes that it is globally acknowledged that family planning contributes to reducing maternal mortality.

He says that increase in contraceptive use will improve the health status of women by giving them the chance to plan when they want to get pregnant.

“Family planning reduces the need for unsafe abortion, family planning reinforces people’s rights to determine the number and spacing of their children, it is achieved through use of contraceptive methods and the treatment of infertility

“Family planning delays underage pregnancies, decreases the risk of health problems and death from early childbearing, and reduces maternal mortality. ’’

Also voicing his concern, the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, says family planning practice is a veritable strategy of curtailing maternal and child mortality in the country.

Dr Ukaire Binyerm, a gynaecologist, says it is wise for women to adhere to child spacing to avoid being anaemic.

“Child spacing is very good, we advise that at least a two-year gap is good, because the woman’s body needs time to recover.

“This is a woman who has gone through the stress of pregnancy, lost some blood, has been breast feeding, stressed at home, and some even start going to work. It takes a lot both physically, emotionally and otherwise.

“We find out that in Nigeria, most women don’t space their children enough and they would not have rebuilt their iron deficiency, so many of them become anaemic, ’’ resulting in reduced immune system which exposes many of them to infections.

“The blood level is already low and that is not favourable at all for a pregnant woman, because anaemia in pregnancy has its own complications, including abortion and several other things. ’’

Binyerm stresses that family planning is vital for every family, as it reduces maternal mortality.

Mrs Fatimah Bamidele, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health says that not all the six million babies delivered annually are intentional, adding that if women have access to contraceptives, unplanned pregnancies which result to life-threatening abortions will reduce drastically.

However, the 2008 National Demographic Health Survey puts the utilisation of family planning in terms of contraceptive prevalence at 10 per cent, while unmet need is 20 per cent.

To beef up access to contraceptives, the Federal Ministry of Health has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), to obtain $3 million worth of contraceptives.

Although the UNFPA Resident Representative, Dr Agather Lawson lauds the effort, she says such should be sustained through regular budget provisions.

This is because Nigeria’s population, at about 170 million, is the sixth most populous country in the world and with a fast growth rate.

“The implications of the present rate of growth are frightening and necessary measures should be put in place, as demand for public services doubles every 20 years to 23 years. ’’

She adds that the Department For International Development (DFID) has provided a grant of 18 million pounds sterling to Nigeria to purchase contraceptives for six years, while the Canadian International Development Agency has also provided $5 million dedicated to the purchase of contraceptive for five years.

While government and international agencies have shown commitment in concrete terms to the reproductive health of the citizens, couples, especially husbands, should encourage family planning practices, according to Dr Braimah Gyang, another gynaecologist.

He says that religion or tradition should not stand in the way of family planning practices, since there are also natural methods.

“What is paramount is for every family to have the number of children it can cater for, to secure the health of mother and child and in the interest of the nation,” he adds.

Angbazo writes for News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Anna Angbazo