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Message: [QUOTE="Queen, post: 86817, member: 27"] A proposed abortion reform just picked up heavyweight medical backing, with doctors arguing the current setup is driving women toward dangerous backdoor procedures. Doctors back Clause 11 reform [LIST] [*]Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights endorsed Clause 11 of the Medical Services Amendment Bill. [*]ZADHR says the change widens access to safe abortion in regulated facilities. [*]The statement dated 12 February 2026 framed it as protecting women’s health rights. [*]The group links the reform to constitutional healthcare and dignity protections. [/LIST] Current law and proposed shift [LIST] [*]Zimbabwe currently permits abortion only under tightly defined circumstances. [*]Clause 11 would revise the Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1977. [*]Doctors argue the old statute no longer fits modern public health realities. [*]The proposal aims to cut red tape and strengthen informed consent. [/LIST] Maternal health statistics cited [LIST] [*]Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey 2023 to 2024 lists maternal mortality at 212 per 100 000 live births. [*]ZADHR says unsafe abortion contributes about 16 percent of those deaths. [*]Ministry of Health and Child Care and the Guttmacher Institute estimate 65 000 to 80 000 induced abortions yearly. [*]Around 25 000 women reportedly need hospital care after unsafe procedures. [/LIST] Global evidence and public health claim [LIST] [*]World Health Organisation research is cited by the doctors' group. [*]ZADHR argues that restrictive laws fail to lower abortion numbers. [*]The association says limits instead push women toward risky methods. [*]Reform is presented as evidence-based and aligned with human rights standards. [/LIST] [/QUOTE]

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