Backstreet abortionists are ‘health murderers’ – MEC
'We call upon women to come to our (hospital) facilities for safe abortions, rather than going to these sharks'
KZN Health MEC Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo says backstreet abortionists are health murderers.
Not mincing his words at an anti-backstreet abortion rally in Empangeni on Thursday, organised by the KZN Health Department, Dhlomo said his department is determined to take the fight to backstreet abortionists,
who he accused of being responsible for the death of too many women.
‘In 2015 alone about 850 women underwent illegal abortions in the uThungulu District alone, some of them ending up in hospitals with serious health complications.
‘It is akin to taking your body to a bush mechanic. These people are not trained to terminate pregnancies.’
He requested clinic and hospital nurses not to turn women away.
‘Some of these women and young girls say they would rather pay money for an illegal abortion than go to the clinics, because the nurses scold them and sometimes even threaten to report them to the church pastors for wanting to kill innocent babies.
‘So we appeal to our nurses and doctors, be accommodating to our young women when they need your assistance.’
Dhlomo emphasized the importance of going to clinics and hospitals for an abortion.
‘We call upon women to come to our facilities for safe abortions, rather than going to these sharks who prey on these unsuspecting, vulnerable women and girls.
‘At our facilities we council them first, advise them about other options they can explore before deciding on aborting their babies – all this without paying a cent.’
Dhlomo further appealed to municipalities not to allow posters advertising illegal abortion at public facilities.
