Over 61 lakh abortions recorded in 5 years, govt tells Lok Sabha

NEW DELHI: India has recorded over 61 lakh abortions in around last five years since 2014-15 till date, official data from states and Union territories in the health management and information system shows.

Health ministry presented the data in the Lok Sabha on Friday in written reply to a question.

Though the government data has not recorded illegally performed abortions, public health experts say up to 50% of total abortions are unsafe.

The abortion data assumes importance because it reflects women – more particularly maternal health, as well as women’s reproductive rights and choices.

Elaborating on the measures taken by the government to reduce unsafe abortions outside medical facilities, minister of state for health Ashwini Choubey told Lok Sabha provision of comprehensive abortion care (CAC) services is an important component of the reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and nutrition (RMNCAH-N) programme under the government.

The National Health Mission (NHM) provides support to the states and Union Territories for various activities to promote safe abortion. Provision of comprehensive safe abortion services are available at public health facilities round the clock, where trained medical practitioners are posted, the minister said.

Comprehensive abortion care (CAC) has been developed and disseminated to the states and Union Territories, and certification of private and NGO sector facilities by district-level committees to provide quality medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) services.

Under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Rules and Regulations, 2003, monthly reporting of total number of cases of abortions in prescribed format is mandatory which is sent from MTP sites to the district authorities. The states and UTs send compiled report on MTP cases to ministry of health and family welfare on quarterly basis.