658 Illegal abortions are performed daily in Lanka

658 Illegal abortions are performed daily in Lanka
Written by Daily Mirror Jul 08, 2007 at 06:21 PM

In a country where abortions are illegal 658 abortions are performed daily on an average. More than 240,000 abortions are done annually in Sri Lanka in contrast to 360,000 births an year, it was revealed. Obstetrician, Gynaecologist L.A.W. Sirisena, in a presentation at the Health Education Bureau said that majority of women who seek to terminate their pregnancies through illegal abortions came from semi urban and rural areas.
He was speaking at a seminar for media personnel titled ‘Men as partners in maternal health’ held last week to mark the World Population Day which fell on July 1. Dr. Sirisena making his presentation on how men could support maternal health in hospitals said mothers who were compelled to take the risk of going through an illegal abortion belonged mainly to the 25-39 age group
In a country where abortions are illegal 658 abortions are performed daily on an average. More than 240,000 abortions are done annually in Sri Lanka in contrast to 360,000 births an year, it was revealed.
Obstetrician, Gynaecologist L.A.W. Sirisena, in a presentation at the Health Education Bureau said that majority of women who seek to terminate their pregnancies through illegal abortions came from semi urban and rural areas.
He was speaking at a seminar for media personnel titled ‘Men as partners in maternal health’ held last week to mark the World Population Day which fell on July 1. Dr. Sirisena making his presentation on how men could support maternal health in hospitals said mothers who were compelled to take the risk of going through an illegal abortion belonged mainly to the 25-39 age group.
“There are many reasons for a mother to take that hard, life threatening and sad decision. They say it is because the first child is too small or the family is completed. Many do abortions for economic constraints or to go overseas for employment. Then there are those who have been raped and got unwanted pregnancies,” Dr. Sirisena said.
In Sri Lanka abortion is illegal. However an abortion could be legally performed on medical grounds if and when the pregnancy posed a threat to the life of the mother within the first 18 weeks of the pregnancy, he said.
Colombo University’s Obstetric Medicine and Endocrinology Department Head Chandrika Wijeratne said a healthy mother contributed to make a healthier family, healthier community and a healthier nation.
Prof. Wijeratna said according to UNFPA, every minute a mother dies during child birth in the world. Root causes to maternal deaths and ill health were unwanted pregnancies, lack of quality skilled care provisions and access to facilities, he said.
Consultant Psychiatrist Neil Fernando said mutual understanding, respect and cooperation between the husband and wife lead to a happy and healthier family.
Consultant Community Physician Loshan Moonesinghe said due to the lack of proper education on contraceptives or prejudices on sexual relationships and birth controls there had been many incidences of unwanted pregnancies.
Scientific education on family planning and contraceptive methods among younger generation were a sine qua non for a quality life, he said.
Last Updated ( Jul 09, 2007 at 07:22 AM )