KHOTANG, May 22: Abortion by unregistered health workers is increasing in Khotang. The District Hospital, Khotang on Tuesday held an interaction on safe abortion where the issue of this illegal practice carried out by unregistered health posts was also discussed.
Health workers said during the interaction that many women are found to opt for unsafe abortion at unregistered health institutions.
Srijana Poudel, a staff nurse at the district hospital, said that women are undergoing abortion at unregistered health centers despite some health posts providing safe abortion as per the government standard.
Unsafe abortion continues although abortion legally permitted:...
Altogether 216 women had safe abortion at the district hospital in the fiscal year 2017/18 while 12 opted for safe abortion at Chisapani Primary Health Center, 68 at Durchhim Health Post, 31 at Saunechaur Health Post, 15 at Baaksila Health Post and 9 at Badkadiyale Health Post.
In the same fiscal year, Lamidanda health post, Nirmal Danda health post and Okhare Danda Health Post had no records of abortion. However, many other unsafe and illegal abortions were found to have been carried out in different clinics based in Diktel bazaar.
Unsafe abortion can have severe consequences on the health of both the mother and the child, and can sometimes be fatal. It can lead to heavy internal bleeding, uterus infection, disability, sterility, premature death child as well as death of the mother.
“Two primary health centers, seven health posts and a hospital in the district conduct safe abortion. Women in large number visit these centers after they develop complications following unsafe abortion,” said Poudel.
The district hospital decided to organize awareness campaign on safe abortion to reduce maternity mortality by ensuring participation of health workers, women health volunteers and clinic operators in safe abortion practice.
Medical Superintendent at the district hospital, Dr Nabin Devkota, claimed that unsafe abortion as the factor for 7 per cent of maternal mortality rate. “Many abortion cases occur after determining the sex of the fetus. It is against the law,” said Dr Narayan Baral.
“Therefore, the awareness program aimed at discouraging unsafe abortion to reduce maternity mortality rate,” added Baral.
