THE EFFECTS

Between a mother and child’s life Rwanda is still listed among the countries where abortion is illegal and punishable under the Penal Code. Yet Abortion accounts for the death of several women. Dr. Christian Ntizimira, the Director of Kibagabaga Hospital, said voluntary abortion is an act of running away from responsibility. “If it’s a medical matter, the doctor with his team analyzes the case of the patient before performing an abortion. Both parties (husband and wife) have to consent to the procedure,” Ntizimira explains. Although the abortion law is in place, it’s important to educate people on how to avoid unwanted pregnancies than stressing the penalty for the crime. “We can prevent a situation than reacting when it happens. There are several components that revolve around abortion such as ethics,” says Ntizimira. Instances where abortions are done is when an expectant mother is a cancer patient since her life is at risk. The suppressed immune system due to cancer may affect the growing fetus, especially during cancer therapy, such as radiation or chemotherapy. Most women suffering major depression disorders find themselves headed for a relapse during pregnancy. Such situations put both the mother and baby at risk thus an abortion becomes the only option to save the mother. Sometimes the pressure of being pregnant, for some women with mental disorders may facilitate a total mental deterioration. Another substantial health reason why a woman would need an abortion is if she were an alcoholic. Alcoholism adversely affects the baby resulting in FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) in which the alcohol severely inhibits the baby’s brain development and its related dangers. This situation could even lead to miscarriages and to save the mother an abortion is done. Dorau20@yahoo.co.uk