THE Zambia Association of Gynecologists and Obstetricians study has revealed that Kitwe has the highest number of unsafe abortions in the country at 14 percent.

ZAGO president Dr Swebby Macha has noted that seven percent of all maternal deaths in Zambia were due to unsafe abortions.

Dr Macha said this during sensitization of media personnel on comprehensive abortion care and law on abortion in Zambia, in Kitwe.

He noted that unsafe abortions remained a major challenge in Zambia despite existing abortion laws.

“Kitwe City has the highest number of unsafe abortions in the country at 14 percent. Seven percent of all maternal deaths in Zambia are due to unsafe abortions,” Dr Macha said.

He stated that unsafe abortions still remained among the top five causes of maternal mortality in Zambia.

“Unsafe abortions remain a major challenge in Zambia despite an existing abortion law that is considered liberal. Unsafe abortion is recognized as a problem of significant public health ranked among the top five causes of maternal deaths in Zambia. Standing at 252 deaths per 100,000 live births. Equally, pre-marital or unplanned and adolescent pregnancies remain exponentially high,” Dr Macha said.

He said in an effort to decentralise, government had developed procedures in providing safe abortions.

“ZAGO therefore, calls on all stakeholders around the country and beyond to join hands in the fight to prevent unsafe abortions which continue to claim lives of women and girls. No life should be lost as a result of unsafe abortion,” said Dr Macha.