The Herald

25 years ago

HARARE, 9 November 1993. — Abortion law will be debated by more than 500 physicians, representatives of interested groups and professionals from other disciplines at the Zimbabwe Medical Association’s congress to be held in Harare at the end of the month.

President of the association Dr Chad Tarumbwa said the congress would also discuss the drug situation, amendment of the Health Professions Council Act and accommodation for doctors. But the major business would be the debate on abortion.

While Dr Tarumbwa would not disclose ZIMA’s position on the question of legalising abortion in Zimbabwe, it is believed that most medical practitioners were in its favour. Experts from abroad will be invited to speak on the subject.

The Minister of Health and Child welfare, Dr Timothy Stamps, is on record to have said that one way of reducing dangerous self-induced miscarriages was to legalise abortion.

Dr Stamps said the number of illegal abortions was on the increase and a matter of great concern were septic abortions which resulted in disability.