<\/p>\n
During the current pandemic,\u00a0International Safe Abortion Day is a timely reminder that access to legal and safe abortion is fundamental to every person\u2019s right to attain the highest standard of sexual and reproductive health.\u00a0<\/p>\n
HRP\u00a0(the UNDP\/UNFPA\/UNICEF\/WHO\/World Bank Special\u00a0Programme\u00a0of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction)\u00a0is collaborating\u00a0with\u00a0a global range of\u00a0partners\u00a0to prevent unsafe abortion and\u00a0support
\nwomen\u2019s and girls\u2019 health, well-being and rights\u00a0in the context of COVID-19.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The\u00a0collaboration\u00a0brings together\u00a0partners including\u00a0DKT International,\u00a0HRP, Ipas, International Planned Parenthood Federation, Marie Stopes International,\u00a0Pathfinder and PSI:\u00a0organizations committed \u201cSexual\u00a0and reproductive health commodities and services are already limited in many settings and are becoming more difficult to access during COVID-19.\u00a0It is important that we combine our efforts,\u201d\u00a0explained\u00a0Dr. Bela Ganatra,\u00a0Prevention \u201cAccess to modern contraception and comprehensive abortion care are crucial to avoid an increase in unintended pregnancies and subsequent unsafe abortions. Stronger partnerships at the global, regional and country level promote successful strategies Chaired by HRP and\u00a0partners,\u00a0the collaboration\u00a0aims\u00a0to support effective responses to sexual and reproductive health needs\u00a0with a focus on\u00a0service delivery and supply chain\u00a0across four key areas:\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Adaptations and indicators<\/strong>:\u00a0identifying successful approaches for maintaining\u00a0and scaling\u00a0safe abortion services during\u00a0and after the\u00a0COVID-19 pandemic\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Guidelines and recommendations<\/strong>:\u00a0reviewing existing and new\u00a0resources\u00a0to avoid duplication\u00a0of guidelines across partners\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Mitigation strategies<\/strong>:\u00a0assessing\u00a0where and what measures are needed to reduce disruption in access to safe abortion services and\u00a0supplies\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Procurement and funding<\/strong>:\u00a0reviewing\u00a0the impact of funding gaps on service delivery and\u00a0availability of medical abortion\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Every year\u00a0almost half of all pregnancies<\/a>\u00a0– 121 million – Postponing abortion care during COVID-19 may therefore\u00a0lead to increased morbidity and mortality<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n All individuals who can become pregnant and who seek medical abortion care\u00a0\u2013\u00a0women, girls and those with varying gender identities\u00a0\u2013\u00a0should be provided with the necessary information to make an informed decision about The WHO guidance,\u00a0Maintaining essential health services: operational guidance for the COVID-19 context<\/a>\u00a0recommends Abortions are safe<\/a>\u00a0when carried out with a WHO-recommended Among the many barriers that limit access to safe abortion care, the\u00a0lack of skilled providers<\/a>\u00a0is one Telemedicine, which has been promoted to support delivery of health services during COVID-19, may be a long-term opportunity to safeguard\u00a0every person\u2019s\u00a0sexual and reproductive health and well-being far into the future.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Evidence has demonstrated\u00a0that\u00a0when\u00a0medicines are made available alongside a source of accurate information and access to a health-care provider if needed or wanted at any stage of the process,\u00a0self-medication\u00a0can offer \u201cEliminating unsafe abortion is one of the key components of the\u00a0<\/strong>WHO Global reproductive health strategy<\/strong><\/a>,\u201d\u00a0explained
\nto preventing\u00a0unsafe abortion and the devastating range of health risks<\/a>\u00a0it can lead to.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\nof Unsafe Abortion Unit Head\u00a0at HRP and the WHO Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\nfor ensuring these essential health services and human rights.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n
Disruption to sexual and reproductive health services puts lives at risk\u00a0\u00a0<\/h3>\n
\nare unintended. This calls for the strengthening of contraceptive services and access to comprehensive abortion care. Since abortion services are time-bound by gestational and legal limits,\u00a0women and adolescents seeking an abortion often
\nresort to unsafe abortion when they cannot access safe abortion.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\ntheir reproductive health,\u00a0rights,\u00a0bodies and futures.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\nthat countries\u00a0should\u00a0ensure ongoing\u00a0access to contraception services, as well as\u00a0to\u00a0safe abortion to the full extent allowed by law\u00a0throughout the pandemic.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\nTelemedicine and an opportunity for leaving no one behind\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/h3>\n
\nmethod that is appropriate to the pregnancy duration, and by a person who has the necessary skills.\u00a0Unfortunately,\u00a0the most recent available estimates show that\u00a0around 45% of all abortions globally were unsafe<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\nof the most critical: in many countries, women in rural areas and those who are dependent on the public sector are especially affected.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\ncrucial support in providing access to safe abortion care.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\nIan Askew, Director\u00a0of HRP and the WHO\u00a0Department of\u00a0SRH.\u00a0<\/p>\n