Achievements of the FIGO Initiative for the Prevention of Unsafe Abortion and its Consequences in South-Southeast Asia

• Published in: International journal of gynecology and obstetrics Vol. 126; no. S1; pp. S20 - S23
• Main Authors: Zaidi, Shahida, Begum, Ferdousi, Tank, Jaydeep, Chaudhury, Pushpa, Yasmin, Haleema, Dissanayake, Mangala
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.07.2014
• Subjects: Abortion, Incomplete - therapy; Abortion, Induced - standards; Aftercare - methods; Asia, Southeastern; Contraception - methods; Drug Approval; Female; FIGO initiative; Humans; International Agencies - organization & administration; Midwifery - education; Mifepristone - administration & dosage; Misoprostol - administration & dosage; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Postabortion care; Postabortion contraception; Pregnancy; Prevention; South-Southeast Asia; Unsafe abortion; Uterine evacuation; Vacuum Curettage - methods; Asia, Southeastern; Prevention; Uterine evacuation; South-Southeast Asia; Unsafe abortion; Postabortion care; Postabortion contraception; FIGO initiative
• ISSN: 0020-7292; 1879-3479
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2014.03.015

Abstract Since 2008, the FIGO Initiative for the Prevention of Unsafe Abortion and its Consequences has contributed to ensuring the substitution of sharp curettage by manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) and medical abortion in selected hospitals in participating countries of South-Southeast Asia. This initiative facilitated the registration of misoprostol in Pakistan and Bangladesh, and the approval of mifepristone for “menstrual regulation” in Bangladesh. The Pakistan Nursing Council agreed to include MVA and medical abortion in the midwifery curriculum. The Bangladesh Government has approved the training of nurses and paramedics in the use of MVA to treat incomplete abortion in selected cases. The Sri Lanka College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, in collaboration with partners, has presented a draft petition to the relevant authorities appealing for them to liberalize the abortion law in cases of rape and incest or when lethal congenital abnormalities are present. Significantly, the initiative has introduced or strengthened the provision of postabortion contraception.