Rukungiri — AT least 18 women die every day due to post abortion complications in the country according to the Ministry of Health statistics.

This was revealed on Tuesday by a Ministry of Health Trainer in Reproductive Health, Ms Mary Gorret Musoke while addressing religious leaders from Rukungiri District.

Ms Musoke explained that due to little knowledge by child bearing women on the major complications they encounter during pregnancy, most of them develop difficulties which result into abortions and sometimes death both during abortion and shortly after.

Ms Musoke said there is need to drum up support from the civic society to encourage men to get involved in their wives' welfare during pregnancy. She said this always helps wives to cope with post abortion complications in case it happens.

She said according to the available statistics it has been established that 58% of men decide where wives should deliver her from yet they contribute little or nothing when they are pregnant.

Earlier the District health officer Rukungiri, Dr Zepher Karyabakabo said, 541 abortions between January to December 2007 in Rukungiri District and 4 women died due to complications.