58 per cent abortions carried out illegally

Kathmandu, September 26

Even though the government provides free safe abortion services through public hospitals, 58 per cent abortions are being carried out illegally.

As many as 186,144 women in the country underwent abortion through unaccredited doctors in the last fiscal. According to Family Health Division, 323,000 abortions were carried out, while 1,045,000 women got pregnant in the country that year.

Speaking at a programme organised to mark Safe Abortion Service Day here today, Dr Naresh Pratap KC said women sought abortion services from unaccredited doctors due to lack of awareness.

Unavailability of abortion kit and gender inequality have been leading women to seek unsafe abortion, he said.

All districts across the country have availability of safe abortion services, while abortion pills are available in 51 districts.  As many as 25 private and public hospitals across the country have been accredited to carry out abortion after 12 weeks of pregnancy. Similarly, 1,100 primary health care centres, private and non-governmental organisations are providing safe abortion services.

According to KC, unsafe abortion accounts for seven per cent maternal mortality. “We shouldn’t promote abortion.  We have been working to raise awareness to reduce unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions,” he said.