The Ogun State Government has reiterated its commitment to implementing and strengthening collaboration with stakeholders on the abridged guidelines for Safe Termination of Pregnancy (SToP).
Dr. Elijah Ogunsola, Executive Secretary of the Primary Healthcare Development Board, made this known on Thursday during an engagement with the Centre for Bridging Health Gaps (CBHGaps) in Abeokuta on the dissemination of the SToP policy.
Dr. Ogunsola said the dissemination of the guidelines reinforces the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun to safeguard women’s right to health and ensure future generations of women can lead meaningful reproductive lives.
He noted that the state has adopted the national guideline for safe termination of pregnancy in cases allowed by law, emphasizing that the policy is aimed at reducing preventable deaths from pregnancies that pose medical risks.
“The state does not legalize abortion, but provides standardized medical services for women in legally recognized situations such as rape, incest, cancer, severe hypertension, and other conditions where pregnancy cannot safely continue,” Dr. Ogunsola said.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Moriam Jagun of CBHGaps commended the state government for the initiative and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to partnering with the government to reduce maternal mortality and improve reproductive health outcomes.
She described unsafe pregnancy termination as “one of the most preventable causes of death, yet one that continues to endanger the lives of vulnerable women and girls.”
Dr. Jagun highlighted that discussions around unsafe termination are often hindered by stigma and silence, stressing the need for collective action to safeguard women’s health, rights, and dignity through access to safe, legal, and quality services.
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She also noted that the updated SToP guidelines align with the Criminal Code and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, including provisions on rape, incest, sexual assault, and the mental health of women.
In their remarks, Mrs. Oluwakemi Lawal, Director of Citizens’ Rights, and Dr. Kunle Ashimi, former Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association in Ogun, reiterated that pregnancy termination is legally permissible where continuation of pregnancy poses a danger to the mother’s life or health, including cases of rape, incest, or medical complications.
They stressed that such procedures must be performed by qualified health professionals in safe, hygienic conditions, upholding women’s rights to make informed reproductive decisions without fear of stigma.
They also urged the government to intensify awareness campaigns on the SToP guidelines and their significance.
The Ogun State Government said the guidelines reflect its broader commitment to improving reproductive health outcomes while protecting women’s rights across the state.