Addressing the Stigma Around Post-Abortion Care
Health professionals in Uganda have been warned against stigmatising patients seeking post-abortion care. The Ministry of Health has issued a clear message that such actions are not only unethical but also violate professional codes of conduct. This comes as a response to growing concerns about the impact of discrimination on women’s health and safety.
Dr Richard Mugahi, the commissioner for Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health at the Ministry, highlighted that health workers who discriminate against women in need of post-abortion care are acting against their professional responsibilities. He emphasized that the primary role of the health sector is to preserve lives and provide emergency, compassionate care to all women without judgment or bias. According to Dr Mugahi, these cases should be treated as medical emergencies rather than moral debates.
“Our duty is to provide guidance and care in case someone comes in with complications that require post-abortion care,” he said. “As a ministry, we highly condemn health workers who stigmatise women or allow their personal, cultural, or religious beliefs to interfere with patient care. It is unethical and unacceptable for a health worker to judge who should be given treatment or not. We will take legal action against any health worker found guilty of such conduct.”
He added that many women arrive at health facilities in critical condition, and despite the dedication of some health workers, many die due to delays or stigma. These situations must be addressed as emergencies without hesitation or judgment. However, he noted that some clinics remain uncontrollable by the ministry and are instead under the jurisdiction of law enforcers.
This statement follows recent reports highlighting the challenges women and young girls face in accessing safe abortion services. A story published by the Daily Monitor titled “Shadowy brokers fuel unsafe abortion clinics” revealed how agents facilitate access to risky procedures. This has led to renewed calls from health rights organisations for the implementation of guidelines and legal reforms to improve access to safe abortion services.
Dr Mugahi stressed that legalising abortion is not a magic solution to the complications associated with it. Instead, he argued that the focus should be on prevention through public education and access to contraceptives. “Even if abortion is legalised, as some stakeholders assert, complications will still exist,” he said. “Legalisation does not eliminate medical risks like uterus perforations, infections, and others, as long as it is induced.”
The Coalition to Stop Maternal Mortality due to Unsafe Abortion expressed deep concern over the rising number of deaths linked to unsafe abortions. They called for urgent reform of Sections 130, 131, and 132 of the Penal Code to decriminalise abortion in line with constitutional and international human rights standards. Ms Faith Nantongo, coordinator of the coalition, highlighted the need for decisive reforms in the country’s legal and policy frameworks to enable women to seek holistic care from mainstream health systems.
She added that the emphasis should look at why women choose to terminate pregnancies and how some lose them through miscarriages. Law enforcement agencies and the Judiciary should avoid intimidating or prosecuting health workers providing essential post-abortion care within the limits of the law. The government should act on multiple research recommendations, including meaningful investment in sexuality education, youth-friendly services, and community dialogue to address stigma.
Citing data that estimates 354,000 abortions occur annually in Uganda, with the majority being unsafe, the coalition argued that criminalisation drives the practice underground into the hands of unqualified individuals. Mr Dan Kaye, a professor of obstetrics at Makerere University, underscored the cost of unsafe abortion to Uganda’s public health system. He suggested that defilement, rape, incest, and teenage pregnancy should be added to the Penal Code to allow women to terminate pregnancies.
According to the 2024 annual crime report, a total of 12,317 victims were defiled, of whom 12,009 were girls aged between zero and 17 years, with guardians, parents, and teachers among the major perpetrators.
Global Context of Unsafe Abortions
The World Health Organisation estimates that three out of every 10 pregnancies end in induced abortions, with 45 percent of these being unsafe. It also notes that 97 percent of unsafe abortions are done in developing countries, and 13.2 percent of all maternal deaths are because of unsafe abortion. These statistics highlight the urgent need for global efforts to improve access to safe reproductive healthcare and reduce the stigma surrounding post-abortion care.