Choice Ireland

Times of Swaziland
by TIMOTHY SIMELANE
Jul 12,2010

MBABANE – Women who are desperate to terminate their pregnancies are asking the newly opened Marie Stopes Clinic in Manzini to do it for them.

But the more they pour in, the more they are turned back because Marie Stopes Swaziland does not offer abortions.

The international Marie Stopes clinic, which has opened a branch in Manzini, is renowned for safe abortions in countries where it is legal.

Bheki Vilane, the National Director of Marie Stopes Swaziland says before the clinic opened in Swaziland, it first studied the laws of the country and understood that abortion is illegal here.

"We understood from the outset that abortion is not allowed in Swaziland, so we opted to offer all the other services except for that. We do not even refer patients to Marie Stopes South Africa where safe abortion is allowed," Vilane said.

Besides safe abortions, Marie Stopes provides family counselling, male circumcision and many other services.

Vilane says women who are aware about the Marie Stopes abortion services in South Africa have been walking in to inquire about safe abortions.