The head of department of obstetrics and gynaecology at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, Dr. Christopher Lamai has said that no fewer than 2,000 Nigerian women die from unsafe abortion annually with the northeast topping the list.
Lamai made the revelation at a capacity building workshop for journalist on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (WSRHR) organized by an international non-governmental organisation, Ipas Nigeria in Gombe..
He said the rate contributes to 13 per cent of mortality in the country as many women die from abortion more than malaria.
According to him, every eight minutes women die of unsafe abortion while an estimated 220,000 children are left motherless annually as a result of abortion related death.
He advised participants to fully sensitize the public on how to undergo safe abortion towards reducing the rate of mortality in the country.
Earlier in her remarks, Ipas country director, Mrs. Hauwa Shekarau, said the objectives of the training were to equip journalist with international, regional and national legal framework for the protection of WSRHR.
Shekarau said the training would also transform the attitude of the media on issues around WSRHR.
She said that Ipas was working closely with legislatures and law enforcement agencies among other stakeholders on importance of safe abortion to reduce high rate of mortality in Nigeria.
