Lok Sabha Question No. 841 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-14
Subject: Unsafe Abortion Procedures
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. 841 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH DECEMBER, 2018

## UNSAFE ABORTION PROC EDURES

## 841. SHRIMATI MAUSAM NOOR:

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

(a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that despite being legal for the last four decades almost 60 per cent procedures of abortion conducted in the country are unsafe and fallin g far behindnormal and safe practices;

(b)  if  so,  whether  the  Government  has conducted  an  enquiry  into  the  matter  with specific references  on  the  impact  of  unsafe abortions  suffered  by  women  in  low  income and  low education bracket in rural areas;

- (c) if so, the details thereof;

(d)  whether  recommendation  by  an expert  committee  has  been  vetted  by  the Government suggesting creation of facilities in various rural clinics; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken in this regard?

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

(a ): Data on the number of unsafe abortions in the country is not presently available National Level Survey

- (b )& ( c) : No specific enquiry has been conducted with specific reference on the impact of unsafe abortion suffered by women in low income and low education bracket in rural areas.
- (d )& ( e) : National consultations have been done with participants from all States/UTs decision taken in the c onsultations were implemented for providing safe comprehensive abortion 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 service 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  compre hensive  safe  abortion  services  at  public  health  facilities  inclu 24*7 PHCs/ FRUs (DHs/ SDHs /CHCs) & Medical colleges.
- Provision of funds to States/ UTs for operationalisation of safe abortion services facilities including procurement of equ ipment and drugs for medical abortion.
- Capacity  Building  of  Medical  officers  in  Safe  Abortion  Techniques  and  of  ANMs, ASHAs and other field functionaries to provide confidential counseling for safe abo and promote post - abortion care including adoptio n of contraception.
- Certification  of  private  and  NGO  sector  facilities  to  provide  quality  safe  a services.
- Supply  of  Nischay  Pregnancy  detection  kits  to  sub  centres  for  early  detectio pregnancy.
- Sensitization Workshops on Comprehensive Abor tion 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 with skills to create awareness on abor 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  choice contraceptive services and family planning counseling to the beneficiaries.
- Recently a guidance note for formation of Medical board for Termination of Pregnan beyond 20 Weeksof Gestation as and when ordered by the courts has been sent to t States and Union Territories (UTs).