04 Mar 2021

Abortion is allowed when a pregnancy is a threat to the physical and mental being of anyone, the Assistant Minister of Health and Wellness, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe has said.

Mr Lelatisitswe said this in Parliament on Wednesday, when responding to a question from the Specially Elected Member of Parliament, Dr Unity Dow.
 

“I am affirming that while it is not common for women to seek termination when their mental health is under threat,it is allowed by law.”

He said factors constituting grave endangerment to woman’s mental health included rape, incest, severe abnormalities of the foetus that are incompatible with post-delivery life and any health condition that may be worsened by the pregnancy, thus endangering a woman’s life.

The government, he said, has mental health professionals at most of its hospitals and therefore they ‘encourage patients to use their services.’

He said the above stated conditions were what the laws recognised as justification for terminating a pregnancy, but it was important to appreciate and to acknowledge that ‘what constitutes grave or serious mental health is a matter of a qualified health professional to determine.’

He however said it was not correct to conclude that the current law on abortion was more paper than substance, due to the reality that they had a dearth of doctors, adding that facilities available were able to carry out the work when indicated.

Mr Lelatisitswe further pointed out that as prescribed in the penal code as amended by Act No: 15 of 1991, section 160 (1 and 2), abortion services were available in all health facilities manned by at least two medical doctors (including clinics with maternity), adding that was intended to ensure opinion sharing by the two medical officers.

“Where there is only one doctor in a facility, referrals are made as appropriate,” he said.

In addition, he stated that although termination of pregnancy services were accessible at all health facilities manned by at least two medical doctors, the Gaborone district recorded 17 termination services while Kgalagadi, Chobe and Bobonong recorded zero from 2018 to 2020.

Furthermore, the assistant minister said his ministry had not considered any plan for curbing the phenomenon of ‘baby dumping’ by providing for the anonymous leaving babies at police stations and churches.

He however agreed that it was a matter on which other stakeholders could be engaged.

Dr Dow had asked the minister to state what constituted grave endangerment to a woman’s mental health to justify the termination of pregnancy.

She also wanted to know how many women, during the year 2018, received pregnancy termination services and how many were in Gaborone, Kgalagadi, Chobe and Bobonong.

Dr Dow also asked whether there were any plans to curb baby dumping cases by providing for anonymous leaving of babies and unwanted babies at places such as police stations and churches. ENDS