The Oyo State Government has commenced the adaptation of the National Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy (STOP) to strengthen reproductive health services and improve maternal health outcomes across the state.
Executive Secretary of the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Dr Muideen Olatunji, reiterated the state government’s commitment to reducing maternal morbidity and mortality through evidence-based policies, improved access to quality healthcare services, and enhanced capacity building for healthcare providers at all levels.
Dr Olatunji disclosed this at a two-day adaptation process for the STOP guidelines held at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, noting that unsafe termination of pregnancy remains a major contributor to preventable maternal deaths and complications, particularly among women and adolescent girls.
He explained that the adaptation of the national guidelines would provide a coordinated framework for healthcare professionals and stakeholders to deliver safe, ethical, and rights-based reproductive health services within approved legal and medical standards.
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Olatunji noted that the initiative underscores the government’s determination to strengthen the healthcare system through inclusive dialogue, stakeholder collaboration, and the adoption of best practices to safeguard the health and well-being of women and families across the state.
Delivering a presentation on: Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Indications, the Executive Director, Centre for Bridging Health Gaps, Dr Moriam Jagun, emphasised the importance of equipping healthcare providers with accurate knowledge of the legal and medical frameworks guiding safe termination of pregnancy, particularly when the life or health of a woman is at risk.
Dr Jagun noted that improving awareness among health workers would help reduce preventable maternal deaths and complications arising from unsafe abortion practices.
She highlighted the need for respectful, confidential, and non-judgmental care for women and girls seeking abortion-related information and services, stressing that healthcare providers have a professional responsibility to uphold the dignity and rights of clients while operating within the limits of the law.
Participants at the training commended the presentation for its clarity, depth, and practical relevance to healthcare delivery, saying it provided opportunities for interactive discussions on ethical responsibilities, confidentiality, accurate documentation, and quality abortion-related care.
Stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to supporting policies and interventions that promote maternal health, reduce unsafe abortion-related complications, and improve access to life-saving reproductive healthcare services across Oyo State.
