Lok Sabha Question No. 3191 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-05
Subject: Abortions
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: MAUSAM NOOR, J.C. DIVAKAR REDDY, PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE, ANANDRAO  ADSUL, SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, Shrirang Appa Barne

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3191 TO BE ANSWERED ON 5 TH JANUARY, 2018

## ABORTIONS

## 3191. SHRIMATI MAUSAM NOOR:

SHRI J.C. DIVAKAR REDDY:

DR. PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE:

SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL:

SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

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

- (a) whether as per a report published in Lancet Global Health Medical Journal about 1.56 crore abortions took place ross  India in 2015, which is significantly higher than the Government estimates/ figures;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether a large number of women undergo abortion outside health facilities, if so, the reasons therefor  indicating  the number  of  safe  medication  abortions, surgical  abortions,  other  unsafe methodsresorted to in the country;
- (d)  whether  the  various  awareness and  public  health  programmes  in  this  regard are  not  so effective due to shortage of trained staff at the ground level in rural areas and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the Government has made any study and issued guidelines to State Governments for proper implementation of the Central Gover nment schemes and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f)  the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the Government  to  provide  proper  health facilities  to  the women of the country including in rural areas?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a) & (b): A report published in Lancet Global Health Medical Journal mentions about 1.5 crore abortions took place across India in 2015.

The Study is based on a sample of six states and is not representative of the countr

(c): The  Government  provides  safe  and  comprehensive  abortion  care  (CAC)  services  to women in health facilities. There are various reasons for unsafe abortions like c onfidentiality, stigma, need for anonymity, provider bias, self - medication etc. Disaggregated data on various methods of abortion is unavailable.

## (d ) to ( f) : All efforts have been made to provide CAC services in health facilities.

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

National Health Mission (NHM), provides support to the states for provision of ser for Comprehensive abortion in the following ways:

- Guidelines on Comprehensive Abortion care services and Medical Methods of Abortions (MMA)  have  been  provided  to  all  the  States  in  the  country  to  facilitate implementation of these services.
- Provision  of  comprehensive  safe  abortion  services  at  public  health  facilitie s  including 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  ANMs, ASHAs  and  other  field  level  functionaries  to  provide  confidential  counseling  for abortion and promote post - abortion care including adoption of contraception.
- Certification  of  private  and  NGO  sector  facilities to  provide  quality  Comprehensive abortion care services.
- Supply  of  Nischay  Pregnancy  detection  kits  to  sub  centres  for  early  detectio pregnancy.
- 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  with  skills  to  create  awareness Comprehensive abortion care issues in women in the community and facilitat e women in accessing services.
- Under the Family Planning programme for post abortion cases, steps have been taken increase the basket of choices of contraceptive services and family planning couns services to the beneficiaries.