Malawi’s health system is losing approximately K326 million annually due to post-abortion care services, according to a report by Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).
The report also highlights that 1 in 29 women die due to pregnancy-related complications, representing 18% of the nation’s maternal deaths.
Executive Director of the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation, Macheal Kaiyatsa, has since called on the Health Ministry to provide clear guidelines regarding access to legal abortion in cases where a woman’s health is at risk.
“The law says a woman can procure an abortion if her life is in danger but the guidelines have not clarified what it means when a woman’s life is in danger, does it mean physical, mental and psychological dangers?” Kaiyatsa wondered.
Meanwhile, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, Adrian Chikumbe, says the ministry is committed to promoting reproductive health rights of women and girls and currently, authorities are reviewing the legislation on health rights to ensure that more women are protected.
In June 2021, the High Court upheld and clarified exceptions to Malawi’s abortion laws, providing essential protection for women’s and girls’ health and lives.
Dr Godfrey Kangaude, Executive Director of the Nyale Institute, one of the CSOs advocating for comprehensive reproductive health rights, commended the judicial affirmation of the conditions under which an abortion is legal in Malawi.
