By Precious D. Freeman
A joint study on abortion incidence conducted by the Clinton Health Access Initiative, the African Population Health Research Center, and the Guttmacher Institute in the country has recorded more than 38,000 illegal abortions in Liberia.
The figure which is for 2021, according to a report by the Clinton Health Access Initiative and partners, shows an induced abortion rate of 30.7 per 1,000 women and a ratio of 229 abortions per 1,000 live births.
The study also said the increment is the first of its kind on abortion incidence in Liberia as abortion remains illegal and punishable by a jail term of up to three years in prison as the country is deeply religious and vocal in its condemnation of abortion.
The existing law in Liberia allows abortion only in cases of fetal abnormality, danger to the mother’s life, or risk to her physical or mental health.
Medical exemptions require written approval by at least two doctors, in case of rape or incest, proof must be provided in court.
“About 38,779 induced abortions occurred in Liberia in 2021, resulting in an induced abortion rate of 30.7 per 1,000 women of reproductive age and induced abortions per 1,000 live births” the study of the joint health officials said.
The severity of abortion-related complication discovered that to address abortion-related complications in the country, the study recommended advanced legal and policy reforms that address the causes of unsafe abortion and unwanted pregnancies.”
It was conducted across all regions and counties in Liberia from September 2021 to March 2022 with the finding released few days ago.
Speaking at an event in Monrovia, Liberia’s Chief Medical Officer, Francis N. Kateh said he is working to provide a comprehensive data on abortion to support the implementation of sexual and reproductive health interventions and that the country’s first report was needed.
According to him, Liberia suffers from lack of scientific records of abortion due to its illegal status and that is why more abortions are performed at home.
The research which Kateh called a milestone, addresses the root causes of unsafe abortions and unwanted pregnancies and advocate for creating an environment where all women and girls have access to reproductive health services.
The report aims at expanding access to quality post-abortion care, including post-abortion contraceptive counseling, and to implement measures at all levels of the health care system to strengthen the capacity of low and middle-level health care institutions.
The Country Director of the Clinton Health Access Initiative, Moses Massaquoi, described unsafe abortion as leading causes of maternal mortality and other ailments; stating that, treating abortion complications is an important part of health care, which consumes a lot of system resources.
The record by these health officials were collected using three surveys; the health facility surveys, the knowledge informant survey and the predictive incidence survey.
