By Olaitan Ibrahim
Unsafe termination of pregnancy contributes up to 13% of maternal deaths in Lagos State, the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON), Lagos Sector, disclosed during an advocacy visit to the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, on Wednesday.
Led by former SOGON National President, Prof. Rotimi Akinola, and Lagos Sector Chairman, Prof. Abidoye Gbadegesin, the delegation outlined persistent challenges in maternal and neonatal mortality, calling for policy reforms and expanded professional involvement.
Prof. Akinola emphasised that while SOGON is not campaigning for indiscriminate abortion, medically indicated, safely performed terminations must be accessible under clear, practical guidelines.
“Unsafe abortion contributes up to 13% of maternal deaths in Lagos,” he said.
“We seek policy clarity to reduce preventable fatalities—this is not a moral debate but a public health imperative.”
Prof. Abayomi, welcoming SOGON’s proposals, reiterated Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s zero-tolerance stance on preventable maternal and neonatal deaths.
“It is unacceptable for any mother to die from avoidable causes,” he said.
Drawing on insights from Southeast Asia, he underscored that investing in family health and maternal welfare is critical infrastructure for Lagos’s future.