Kasungu DHO decriespost-abortion cases

Kasungu District Health Office (DHO) has expressed concerns over an alarming rate of post-abortion cases as the district hospital treats about 80 women monthly.

This came to light on Tuesday when officials from the Ministry of Health and journalists visited Kasungu District Hospital as part of a tour to appreciate construction works of new infrastructure in some health facilities across the country funded by The Global Fund and Gavi.

In his remarks, Kasungu District Hospital medical officer Dr Ulemu Zulu said the hospital treats between 70 and 80 women with post-abortion issues every month.

He said: “Abortion is a serious issue in Kasungu at the moment. Besides providing post-abortion care services, with our partners, we have embarked on a study on social behaviour change to find out the causes of abortion.”

Zulu said the study will also help health officials to know how community members utilise sexual and reproductive health services.

“From the findings, we will be able to design interventions that can work to ensure that abortion cases should be reduced to save the lives of women,” he said.

In his response, Ministry of Health Principal Secretary Beston Chisamire said it was a sad development and pledged that the ministry would look into the issue.

“We will ensure that we go for safe abortion and also engage community members on safe abortion,” he said.

However, Chisamire said through the health facilities, government and its partners are constructing, women are told the importance of getting sexual and reproductive health services.

He said: “The facilities have good counselling and post-abortion care services for the mothers.

“Again, as central government, there is need to check on policies that are on the ground regarding access to reproductive health issues by community members.”