NEW DELHI: The primary reason for unsafe abortions in India is
unplanned pregnancies and 78 per cent of pregnancies in the country are
unintended and at least 25 per cent are unwanted, according to Federation of
Obstetrics and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI).
FOGSI president Narendra Malhotra said: “We along with the Family Planning
Association of India have participated in an awareness generation programme
about emergency contraception. The awareness about emergency contraception
is low in this country with only one out of 100 women being aware about it.
Our emphasis has been on educating women about emergency contraception and
its proper usage.”
Stating that emergency contraception was a unique method which can prevent
pregnancy in over 90 per cent of females even after having had unprotected
sex and gives women an opportunity to prevent unwanted pregnancy and unsafe
abortion which takes a huge toll on maternal mortality in this part of the
world, Dr. Malhotra added: “We are working towards creating awareness and
expanding access to emergency contraception thus providing the much-needed
common ground on reproductive health issues.”
It is estimated that in India alone over six million abortions take place
each year. A majority of these are performed by providers outside registered
and government recognised institutions, often by untrained persons working
in unhygienic conditions. About 13 per cent of maternal deaths in India
result from unsafe abortions. Studies suggest that this number may be as
much as 80,000 per year. Emergency contraception is, in a crisis, one of the
most reliable methods of preventing unintended pregnancy.
‘Our emphasis has been on educating women about emergency contraception’
It is estimated that in India alone over six million abortions take place
each year
