Monrovia, Jan. 29 -- Liberia's stalled Public Health Bill has revived debate over abortion. One former lawmaker and advocate for the bill says it would make abortion available for life-saving emergencies such as ectopic pregnancy, severe pregnancy complications, fetal malformity and mental illness.

Liberia faces a serious maternal health crisis. World Bank data shows 628 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, one of the highest rates in the world. A 2021 Ministry of Health and Clinton Health Initiative study found 14,555 women sought care for abortion related complications. Senator Darblah Varpilah, Senate Health Committee chair, said abortion remains the main obstacle to passing the bill. The numbers will not be clear until the bill...