Adverts for abortions a major concern

LIMPOPO - Advertisements for abortions are glued onto various traffic lights, power boxes and even waste skips around Lephalale and Mokopane are not only an eye sore, but can also pose serious health risks for the women who decide to make use of these services.
In a recent CPF meeting warrant officer Frans Mokoena, the spokesperson for Lephalale SAPS, said that it is difficult to apprehend the people who are undergoing illegal abortions. “As with any other crime we have to have enough evidence before an arrest can be made.”
Women who had illegal abortions are usually not willing to speak up about their experience and are reluctant to provide information to the police.
Religious and moral objections (pro-life vs pro-choice beliefs) also come into play. Woman are afraid of being judged for their decision to abort.
The emotional repercussions of an abortion should not be overlooked. According to an article by dr Marietjie van Rooyen, a senior lector at the University of Pretoria’s faculty of family medicine (The prevalence of post-abortion syndrome in patients presenting at Kalafong hospital’s family medicine clinic after having a termination or pregnancy published on 15 Augustus 2014) a large group of women have emotional side-effects after a pregnancy was terminated.
Insomnia, irritation, depression, suicidal thoughts and guilt are some of the most common emotions with which these women struggle.
According to Emily Molokomme, spokesperson for the Lephalale district hospital, women should remember that any medical procedure that is not done by a qualified medical practitioner can be dangerous.
“Patients can rupture their uterus,
hemorrhage or contract a sepsis infection that can claim the woman’s life.”
While Molokomme does not advocate abortions, she says that the hospital is equipped to do safe and sterile abortions.
“People should take responsibility for their lives and use contraceptions if they are sexually active and don’t want to become pregnant.”
At the hospital the woman who wants to have an abortion will be seen by a doctor, social worker and hospital sister before she is given pills to terminate the pregnancy. “These services are free of charge and there is no reason why women should have illegal and dangerous procedures done by unqualified people.”
“In Lephalale only the district hospital is authorised to do abortions and according to law it can only be done up to 12 weeks after the last menstrual cycle.”