Among other things, the Bill advocates for assisted reproduction and In-Vitro Fertilization, a process of fertilisation where an egg is combined with sperm in vitro. It involves removing an ovum from her ovaries and letting sperm fertilise them in a laboratory which clashes with practices and beliefs of religions and African traditions.
Dr Charles Kiggundu, a gynecologist at Mulago Hospital says that over 800 abortions are administered in Uganda each day and up to eight women die in circumstances that could be prevented through guidelines for procuring safe abortions.
Salome Nakaweesi Kimbugwe, the Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer says the campaign comes at a backdrop of an increase in teenage pregnancies across Ugandan communities.
For the Health Sector approved budget, 660 billion UGX goes towards post abortion care. The amount takes 4.7% of the 31.1 billion UGX of the entire health budget that the government provides.
A report on unintended pregnancies and abortions in Uganda released on Thursday has highlighted gaps in available statistics on unsafe abortions, with the last data having been published in 2003.
