60 per cent abortions unsafe: OGSH

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, JULY 12. An unacceptably high 60 per cent of an estimated 6.7 million abortions performed annually in India are unsafe in spite of availability of safe and cost-effective technologies around the world.

According to the Obstetrics and Gynaecological Society of Hyderabad (OGSH), an overwhelming majority of MTPs (medical termination of pregnancy) are performed by illegal providers. A prime reason is the lack of knowledge and access to certified public services and poor quality of care in many of them.

The OGSH and the Federation of Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI), which are observing 2001 as `Safe Abortion Year', have suggested certification of more MTP centres and delegation of authority to recognise and certify them to the district administration. `Making abortion safe' would be the theme of first-ever south zone conference of FOGSI being organised by the OGSH at Ravindra Bharathi here on Saturday and Sunday. A public forum on AIDS would be held on the opening day.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Dr. D. Pushpalatha, conference coordinator, Dr. P.V. Saraschandrika, organising chairperson, Dr. Sasikala Kola, secretary, and Dr. Aneel Kaur, joint secretary, OGSH, said use of appropriate technologies in decentralised settings was important to ensure safe abortion.

One such method was manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) using a hand- held syringe which creates negative pressure inside the uterus to evacuate its contents, all in 10 minutes. A US-based non-profit organisation, International Project Assistance Services (IPAS), had come out with a vacuum syringe costing around Rs. 2,000 and useful for 100 procedures.

Dr. Pushpalatha said the Government must popularise this syringe, soon to be manufactured in India, keeping in view the WHO's recommendation that MVA was an appropriate technology for safe abortion when performed within eight weeks.

Dr. Saraschandrika said a wide range of subjects from foetal medicine to rural obstetrics would be discussed but the focus of the conference would be on training young doctors with the involvement of a young faculty.

Dr. Sashikala said that a highlight would be pre-conference workshop on gynaeocological endoscopy on Friday at Niloufer Hospital where surgeries would be performed live on patients by hysteroscopy, a procedure that needs specialised training.

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Section  : Southern States
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