The startling disclosures came as Botswana marked World Blood Donor Day on Sunday with the message that a great need for blood still exists to cater for delivering mothers and women suffering from cervical cancer. Medical practitioners at the commemoration noted that women lose a lot of blood during the illegal termination of pregnancies. Abortion in Botswana can only be legally carried out in pregnancies as a result of rape, defilement or incest, or where the pregnancy puts the life of the mother at risk or may cause harm to her physical or mental health. In addition an abortion can also be carried out where the unborn child would suffer or later develop physical or mental abnormality.
Marina Hospital’s Dr David Tamuhla spoke strongly against early indulgence in sexual activities which he said leads to unintended pregnancies. Moreover, he cautioned women against multiple partners, as this is a factor in the prevalence of cervical cancer. He said patients with chronic illnesses such as Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, diabetes and cancer were also at risk, as were victims of domestic violence who suffer excessive bleeding.
