Police in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, have launched an investigation after two stillborn infants and medical waste were discovered at a landfill in the Akouedo area, city police chief Kollo Roger Yeo confirmed on Sunday.
Alongside the infants, officers found medical equipment, fibroids, and other human remains thought to be discarded by a clinic or hospital.
Deputy Director-General for Public Safety Siaka Dosso confirmed the disturbing discovery, noting that medical items, including fibroids and umbilical cords, were also present. He acknowledged that, while abandoned infants are occasionally found, discovering medical waste of this nature is rare.
In 2022, the Ivorian government vowed to shut down illegal private clinics after a review showed over 80% of private medical facilities did not meet standards.
In Ivory Coast, abortion is legally permitted only in cases of rape, incest, or if the mother’s health is at serious risk.
