ESOG Warns, Restricting Access to Abortion Care Harms Women and Families
When to become a parent, how one becomes a parent, and what pregnancy decisions each person makes are incredibly complicated personal choices. For individuals with complex medical or family histories, these decisions often require partnering with clinicians to achieve the best outcomes. Even when a pregnancy is planned and wanted, there are times when abortion procedures must be performed to save a life.
ESOG members are dedicated to achieving the best health for all. While members understand that abortion is an emotionally charged issue with passionate, thoughtful people on both sides, and many different diverse views and perspectives, members have a responsibility to do everything possible to keep their patients safe. Therefore, ESOG stands with its members across the country who works daily to help individuals with reproductive decisions. As The Ethiopian Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advocates, decisions about when to continue and when to end a pregnancy are medical decisions and must be individualized in consultation with clinicians.
The Ethiopian Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ESOG) concluded its annual conference on February 22, 2022. The conference themed- Reproductive and Maternal Health Services at Times of War and Conflict- started with virtual preconference CMEs on February 19, 2022. The preconference CMEs brought together dozens of speakers from all across the world for virtual lectures and hands-on training on ultrasound.
The Ethiopian Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ESOG) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH) conducted training at Adama General Hospital from November 15-24, 2021. The training was given on Long-Acting Family Planning (LAFP) focusing on Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices (IUCDs) and implants. Attending the training were 50 health care providers from Oromia and Somali regions.
LAFP methods, specifically IUCDs and implants provide uninterrupted protection to women from 3 to 12 years. A good opportunity to provide IUCD is during the post-partum and post-abortion periods. But they must be inserted by trained providers in a safe clinical environment. With limited facilities and few providers, widespread implementation of LAFP in Ethiopia requires training of significant numbers of rural providers and developing properly equipped facilities for implant and IUCD insertions.
There is a plan to cascade the training to other areas.
The Ethiopian Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ESOG) has concluded its two days of virtual preconference CME sessions and hands-on training on ultrasound. The two days even prior to the Society's annual conference, which will start February 21, 2022 has brought together dozens of speakers from all around the world. The conference themed- Reproductive and Maternal Health Services at Times of War and Conflict will be held at Interlexury Hotel, Addis Ababa. The main event on Monday will be followed by scientific sessions and a state-of-the-art lecture. This year's conference is attended both in-person and is broadcasted online.
The Ethiopian Ministry of Health (MoH) endorsed Dr. Yirgu G.Hiwot’s bid to become the President Elect of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO). The endorsement of Dr. Yirgu, who is one of the most senior members of the Ethiopian Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ESOG), came officially from H.E. Dr. Lia Tadesse, minister of Health.
The endorsement came in a video recorded from the Minister’s office on August 21, 2021.
For over three decades, Dr. Yirgu has served national, regional, and international institutions as a clinician, a leader, an academician, a consultant and advisor and a researcher.
“I am also testifying this not only as the Minister of Health but as one of his former students. Where I have been mentored and taught as a resident in obstetrics and gynecology by Dr. Yirgu,” said the Minister during her endorsement.
Dr. Yirgu was ESOG’s President for two terms between 2010-2013 when he has helped in strengthening it to become Africa’s financially and structurally strong professional association. Serving as the President of one of the oldest professional associations in Ethiopia- the Ethiopian Medical Association (EMA) between 2007-2009, he made an immense contribution in building the capacity of the organization.
Currently, as a Director of Clinical Services at Black Lion Hospital, one of the premier health facilities in Ethiopia, he along with his colleagues is successfully sustaining the institution’s health services while venting the surge of COVID within operating on a very limited resource.
The rate of maternal mortality caused specifically by unsafe abortion has been slashed in Ethiopia. That is mainly due to a revised law that paved a way for the provision of safe abortion services. Dr. Yirgu has played a leading role in the process of having the law revised, which in turn changed many women’s lives.
“One of the key contributions Dr. Yirgu made was the reform of the abortion law to bring about the reduction from mortality from unsafe abortion. Unsafe abortion was one of the largest killers of women in Ethiopia accounting for more than 34% of causes for maternal mortality, but with the reform that he played a key role in, now the abortion (the unsafe abortion) cause for maternal mortality has reduced to 6-9%,” the Minister included in her endorsement speech.
He also led the first initiative to start a sexual assault survivors clinic in Ethiopia. The initiative then was replicated by a number of University Hospitals, where he also led in the development of management and development of guidelines. Dr. Yirgu has published dozens of original researches in peer-reviewed journals earning him the title of Associate Professor. He has contributed to National Guidelines on Family Planning, a Technical and Procedural Guideline on Safe Abortion Services, and a National Management Guideline on Selected Obstetrics and Gynecology topics.
“In addition, Dr. Yirgu has played a key role in enhancing or advancing the access and quality of emergency obstetric care across the country by developing several guidelines and training many providers across the nation,” said Dr. Lia.
Dr. Yirgu’s experience beyond the borders of Ethiopia is well evidenced in his service as the first and founding president of the African Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AFOG). As AFOG’s President, Dr. Yirgu has laid all the necessary foundational works and successfully overseen the first and second annual meetings of the federation.
Dr. Yirgu has served as an Officer of FIGO between 2016 and 2019. As an officer, he had a unique opportunity to know FIGO and had the chance to work with NCD, fistula, and safe abortion working groups. He has represented FIGO at regional meetings to increase its visibility and show the proximity of FIGO to member countries. He was an executive board member for FIGO between 2013-2016 and helped formulate a strategic plan for FIGO’s vision for the following five years and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with ‘Direct Relief’, for the provision of operating kits to doctors for surgery training, free of charge, for a fistula project, which benefited women with fistula.
Dr. Yirgu was one of the recipients of FIGO’s Projects, where he successfully led FIGO- LOGIC and FIGO SRHR Projects with national outreach and impact. Dr. Yirgu had collaborated with world-renowned institutions such as WHO HQ, WHO Africa, and IPAS & Guttmacher Institute on various issues and made contributions in CEmONC training and MDSR project.
The election for the FIGO President-Elect will be conducted on a meeting that will be held virtually via the Zoom platform on Wednesday 27th October and Thursday 28th October 2021 from 12.30 to 16.00 UTC+1 (UK time), in accordance with FIGO’s Articles of Association, on the occasion of FIGO’s XXIII World Congress.
The Ethiopian Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ESOG) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH) conducted training at Adama General Hospital from November 15-24, 2021. The training was given on Long-Acting Family Planning (LAFP) focusing on Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices (IUCDs) and implants. Attending the training were 50 health care providers from Oromia and Somali regions.
The Ethiopian Ministry of Health (MoH) endorsed Dr. Yirgu G.Hiwot’s bid to become the President Elect of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO). The endorsement of Dr. Yirgu, who is one of the most senior members of the Ethiopian Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ESOG), came officially from H.E. Dr. Lia Tadesse, minister of Health.