The Ogun State House of Assembly (OGHA) has reaffirmed its commitment to improving healthcare services and the wellbeing of residents as it continues consultations on the proposed Safe Termination of Pregnancy Bill with a coalition of maternal health advocacy organisations.

The coalition, comprising Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), Gender Development Initiative (GENDI), Centre for Community Development Health and Family Enhancement Initiatives, Centre for Reproductive Rights, IPAS Nigeria Health Foundation and Amplify Change, hosted lawmakers for a post-public hearing review in Ikeja, Lagos State.

Speaker of the assembly, Honourable Oludaisi Elemide, represented by the deputy speaker, Honourable Bolanle Lateefat Ajayi, commended the advocacy groups for their contributions, saying discussions had gone beyond the provisions of the bill to focus on improving healthcare delivery and the wellbeing of the people.

He said that the assembly remains committed to providing quality representation and enacting laws that will positively impact residents through policies and programmes that make life better and more comfortable for all.

Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Honourable Wahab Haruna, said all memoranda and recommendations from stakeholders will be considered during the clause-by-clause review of the bill, stressing that the assembly will pursue legislation that is constitutional, implementable and compassionate.

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Haruna added that the assembly will continue to partner with Civil Society Organisations (CSO), professional bodies, traditional and religious leaders to ensure grassroots ownership, noting that the bill is aimed at preventing avoidable deaths and promoting safe motherhood in Ogun State.

Executive Director of WARDC, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, said the meeting was convened to examine issues raised during the public hearing, identify areas of consensus and resolve outstanding concerns.

She noted that maternal healthcare remains a major global and national challenge, with over 20 percent of maternal deaths linked to unsafe termination of pregnancy.

Also, Executive Director of GENDI, Professor Olubunmi Asimolowo, commended the assembly, the House Committee on Health, the sponsor of the Bill, Honourable Lukman Atobatele, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker and officials of the Ministry of Health for their commitment to an inclusive legislative process and strengthening maternal healthcare.

She praised WARDC for providing technical leadership throughout the process, describing the progress of the bill through its first and second readings as the result of sustained advocacy, stakeholder engagement and constructive dialogue.

Asimolowo expressed confidence that the ongoing technical review will produce a legally sound, medically appropriate and socially responsive law capable of reducing preventable maternal deaths and improving access to quality reproductive healthcare within the framework of the law.