Employees of the Department of Health, together with members of the public, took part in a march from the Newcastle Taxi Rank Clinic to Newcastle Farmers Hall.
The march on December 8, was led by KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC, Sibongiseni Dhlomo, as part of Operation Sukuma Sakhe (OSS) campaign against illegal abortions, raising awareness of the dangers thereof, and calling for action against practitioners.
“Posters are placed in public spaces such as taxi ranks and shopping centres, advertising safe, pain-free, quick and cheap abortions, making woman believe they are accessing a legitimate service, when in fact they are not,” said Dr Dhlomo.
He said it had been brought to his attention that some health care professionals passed moral judgement on young people asking for reproductive health services, thereby contributing to the increase of illegal abortions.
“We are trying to remind health care professionals about the importance of upholding professional ethics at all time. This includes creating a conducive environment for everyone who seeks health care, regardless of their age,” he continued.
He explained some of the dangers of accessing such illegal facilities included the following:
1. Death
2. Severe bleeding
3. Uterine perforation
4. Tearing of the cervix
5. Severe damage to the genitals and abdomen
6. Internal infection of the abdomen and blood
poisoning
7. Increased risk of infertility.
