School going adolescent girls top abortion cases in Malawi

Some maternal health experts are pressing on government to legalise abortion after figures indicate that out of the 70000 abortion cases last year, 33000 involved adolescent girls.

Maternal health experts warn this is a staggering figure as it translates into 17per cent of all maternal deaths in Malawi.

Adrian Chikumbe, spokesperson for the ministry of Health said the government is doing all it can to put the situation under control.

He said the new law on abortion would also reverse the situation.

Currently it is illegal in Malawi for women to have an abortion, if discovered, they are arrested and charged and can serve jail terms.

However, abortions are performed in backyard homes and private clinics where women and girls pay hefty sums of money for the risky unregulated abortions.

The new law on abortion, which is yet to pass in parliament, however prescribes conditions for abortions that include rape victims.

Conservatisms and religious people oppose the new law they think some women would just abuse it in order get rid of a pregnancy they got out of wedlock.