The abortion posters, which have long plagued the town stood no chance as nurses took to the streets to say: ‘No to back-street abortions.’

These unethical doctors and offensive posters take advantage of desperate mothers-to-be offering ‘quick, safe and painless’ abortions due to the stigma attached to safe and legal abortions.

Estcourt Hospital has heeded the call by the KwaZulu-Natal Health Minister Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, to fight against back-street abortions.

On Tuesday, April 5 health care workers took the Anti Back-Street Abortion Awareness Campaign to the people. A convoy led by a trailer carrying a billboard with messages against illegal abortions started the awareness campaign. The convoy made pit stops for a brief health talk at the Imbabazane Municipality offices, Wembezi township and Estcourt central business district.

The highlight of the health talk was that young women should make independent decisions concerning their productive health rights, without having to risk their lives or put their health on the line. While nurses spread the message, they also took the opportunity to inform locals that termination of pregnancy (abortion) services are provided at the hospital for all mothers who qualify.

The service is free and safe. Back street abortions impose great health risks. Nurses often deal with cases of incomplete abortions; septic abortions and worse in some cases, women lose their lives during the back-door abortion process.

In an effort to win the war against illegal abortion posters plastered on lamp poles, walls, stop signs, electricity boxes and even office buildings; nurses went on a mini clean-up too.

Women were urged to say no to back street abortion as it increases the chances of infertility, which can cause lifelong consequences.
Estcourt Hospital staff would like to thank all those who supported the successful campaign.