Voluntary body SAKAR in association with Common Health observed September 28 as International Safe Abortion Day: A call to Action.
As part of the day, an awareness camp among women aged between 18 years to 50 was conducted at Radhakantapur gram panchayat office in Begunia block in Khordha district in which 45 women including some ASHA and Anganwadi Workers and Krushi Mitras participated.
Staff nurse S Sagarika Panda gave details including termination of unwanted pregnancy and the tools available without visiting a hospital. However, she emphasised the need to take guidance of a qualified medical professional. The need may be for several following reasons: Continuance of pregnancy involves a risk to the life of woman If it's caused by a rape If it's caused by failure of contraceptive and there is substantial risk that the child born would be handicapped physically or mentally. The present amended Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act provides for abortion up to 24weeks with opinion of a registered medical practitioner. A signature campaign with slogan “Make Unsafe Abortion a History” was also initiated. SAKAR secretary Swarupa Aadinarayan answered the questions from participating women.
