Lok Sabha Question No. 1297 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-22
Subject: Illegal Abortions
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: MAUSAM NOOR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1297 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 2 ND DECEMBER, 2017

## ILLEGAL ABORTIONS

## 1297. SHRIMATI MAUSAM NOOR:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that despite being legal for the last four decades almost 60 percent procedures of abortion in the country are unsafe and falling far behind normal and safe practices;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has conducted any enquiry into the matter with specific references on the impact of unsafe abortions by women in rural areas;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether any recommendation by any expert committee has been vetted by the Government suggesting creation of facilities in various rural clinics; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a) & (b) : Data on the number of unsafe abortions in the country is not presently availa any National Level Survey
- (c) & (d): No specific enquiry has been conducted with specific reference on the impact unsafe abortion by women in rural areas.
- (e) & (f) : National consultations have been done with participants from all States/UTs decision taken in the consultations were implemented for providing safe comprehensive abo services.

Provision  of  comprehensive  safe  abortion  care  services  is  an  important  component RMNCH+A program under Govt. of India.

National Health Mission (NHM), is providing support to the states for providing ser for Safe Abortion and to reduce unsafe abortions in the country which include:

- Dissemination of Comprehensive Abortion Care -Service Delivery and Training Guidelines to States.
- Provision  of  comprehensive  safe  abortion  services  at  public  health  facilities  in 24*7 PHCs/ FRUs (DHs/ SDHs / CHCs).
- Provision of funds to States/ UTs for operationalisation of safe abortion services facilities including procurement of equipment and drugs for medical abortion.
- Capacity  Building  of  Medical  officers  in  Safe  Abortion  Techniques  and  of  ANM s, ASHAs and other field functionaries to provide confidential counseling for safe abo and promote post - abortion care including adoption of contraception.
- Certification of private and NGO sector facilities to provide quality abortion servi
- Supply  of  Nischay  Pregnancy  detection  kits  to  sub  centres  for  early  detectio pregnancy.
- Sensitization Workshops on Comprehensive Abortion Care are being held in States.
- Provision  of  Funds  to  States  to  plan  and  implement  comprehensive  'Information Education & Communication/ Behaviour Change Communication (IEC/BCC)' activities for maternal health including safe abortion care.
- Orientation/Training of ASHAs to equip them wit h skills to create awareness on abortion issues in women and the community and facilitate women in accessing services.
- Under the Family Planning Strategy, to reduce unintended pregnancies which can lead unsafe  induced  abortion,  steps  have  been  taken  to provide  a  basket  of  choices  of contraceptive services and family planning counseling to the beneficiaries.