More than three years after abortion was legalised in South Africa, tens of thousands of women are still undergoing backstreet abortions each year.

Last week, one of these women died after seeking help at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, in Soweto, and doctors say they are still treating numerous patients who choose to go to unqualified abortionists in spite of the fact that abortion is available on demand and is free of charge.

The problem is blamed on a lack of facilities. Staff at more than half of Gauteng's designated abortion facilities are refusing to offer the service, and doctors at clinics which are up and running say they cannot cope with the demand.

"We can't stop doing all other gynae just to do abortions," said Professor Cyril van Gelderen, head of obstetrics and gynaecology at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.

People requesting abortions there are placed on a waiting list because staff can only cope with about ten abortions a day.

While the Department of Health is conducting a survey to determine exact figures, experts believe that as many as 45 000 backstreet abortions are being performed each year.

This estimate matches figures recorded in 1994 (the last time hard statistics were obtained), when 44 886 women sought medical help at state hospitals following botched illegal abortions.

Lack of facilities is clearly the overriding issue. Paul Cornelissen, manager of Marie Stopes clinics, said women usually pay more for a backstreet abortion than for a legal one.

Abortionists, he said, purchase a prescription drug used for ulcers at less than R2 each, give the patient four tablets at a cost of R350 and then send them home to abort the foetus without medical supervision.

"Neighbours, family and friends are left to help and the risk of bleeding to death, contracting Hepatitis B or transmitting Aids from the patient's blood are high," he said.

Lack of facilities is also one of the main problems cited by Riekie van der Berg, founder of SA Cares for Life, which helps with unwanted pregnancies and offers an adoption service.

The main reasons women gave for using an illegal abortionist were the lack of facilities and their need for secrecy, and because of the state's refusal to allow abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy, Van der Berg said.