By MILDRED KATONGO –

MORE than 700 Copperbelt women have been treated by IPAS Zambia for complications resulting from unsafe abortions in the last 12 months.
IPAS executive director Felicia Sakala said the majority who were treated for unsafe abortion were young women below the age of 24.
Ms Sakala said the numbers of unsafe abortions in Zambia have increased but only a few women visit health centres for treatment.
She attributed the increase in young women resorting to unsafe abortions, to lack of information on the dangers of the act.
“IPAS has been treating women for unsafe abortion and Copperbelt has recorded more than 700 in the last 12 months. Despite the age varying, the majority are young women below the age of 24,” she said.
Ms Sakala said young women were not fully informed and that others, especially those in school resorted to unsafe abortions for fear of their guardians.
She said unsafe abortions in Zambia contributed to the high maternal mortality rate.
Ms Sakala said some of the abortion related cases being treated were severe bleeding and abdominal pain, among others.
She said the organisation works closely with the Ministry of Health in ensuring that women access quality health care services.
Ms Sakala urged women not to resort to unsafe abortions but acquire safe and quality medical health care services from health centres.
“We need our women to know the dangers of unsafe abortions and stop the act because it is leading to death for young women. Stop engaging in illicit sex to prevent unplanned pregnancies,” she said