Far East Rand Hospital (FERH) launched its Termination of Pregnancy (TOP) Clinic on Thursday.
The launch was attended by officials from the Ekurhuleni Health District and hospital staff.
In his remarks to the guests, deputy director of Ekurhuleni health district Zanoxolo Futshane stated that the launch was appropriate as February is the month of reproductive health and that the day marked a day of achievement for the hospital.
“The past four years of planning have been very long, but I’m amazed by the resilience that we showed to prove that as a district, we indeed wanted to pursue the clinic,” said Futshane.
“All our efforts didn’t fall on the ground, they have born fruit.”
The clinic will provide women with access to safe and professional termination of pregnancy services by designated nurses at the hospital.
ALSO READ: Springs Clinic launches youth zone – a health initiative for the youth of Springs
It aims to reduce the number of deaths caused by giving birth and illegal abortions.
Services at the clinic are available to all women who want to terminate their pregnancy during the first trimester (12 weeks).
Some of the factors that will be considered in TOP are if there is a risk to the physical or mental health of the woman or foetus, if the pregnancy is a result of rape, or if having the baby will cause social or economic problems for the mother.
Futshane added that the clinic will be staffed by compassionate and highly-trained medical professionals who will not question or pass judgment on their patients’ choices or attempt to influence their decision.
“We can’t discourage the termination of pregnancy and not offer a solution. We are here to provide superior-quality and safe women’s health services,” said Futshane.
FERH CEO Sonwabo Lindani said the clinic seeks to render the best service in Ekurhuleni.
He assured the public that the hospital would serve them in the best way that it could.
“FERH will relieve all sister hospitals that will be referring patients within the first trimester,” Lindani explained.
“We’re also looking to extend the scope into the second trimester in the future.”
FERH is the sixth out of seven regional hospitals to launch the TOP clinic.
