Illegal providers of abortion pills in Mpumalanga are under scrutiny as health authorities launch measures at state facilities to stem the theft of medicines, reports The Citizen.
The Department of Health said it has tightened controls over abortion medication after reports that officials are selling the pills, with spokesperson Dumisani Malamule telling the Lowvelder it was cracking down on theft, diversion and illegal sales.
Health facilities have introduced control books to monitor the movement of medication, he added. “Every pill is now counted and entered daily.”
The department has also warned that staff found guilty will face action.
Malamule said the department has received reports and acted on multiple cases involving pharmaceutical theft, and was also working with the police and other law enforcement agencies to tackle illegal abortion services and advertisements.
As part of its prevention strategy, the department said it uses the B-Wise platform to provide reproductive health information and conduct dialogues on sexual and reproductive health targeting young and adolescent girls.
Mpumalanga has 57 health facilities providing first-trimester termination services and nine facilities offering second- and third-trimester services, and residents are urged to make use of them.
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