Kathmandu, Sept 26: It has been 13 years since Nepal legalized abortion and 751,694 have taken this service during this period.
The 11th amendment to the Civil Code on 26 September 2002 opened the way for legal facility for abortion (up to 12 weeks of pregnancy) and up to 18 weeks in unusual cases like rape and incest. But the consent of woman is needed.
Nepal marked Friday as the first safe abortion service day under the theme of Family Planning Necessary to prevent unwanted pregnancy: safe abortion in needed'.
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| Photo: Capture from Kantipur National Daily |
The Family Health Division, the Ministry of Health and Population here Friday organised a programme marking the day where it was shared that only 38 per cent of women entering into reproductive age are aware that abortion is legalized in the country.
Of the total maternal mortality rate, seven percent was due to unsafe measures taken during abortion. The statistics show that of 100 pregnant women, eight underwent abortion and 25 per cent had unwanted pregnancy.
Division Director Prof Dr Pushpa Chaudhary said the safe abortion services are available in all the 75 districts across the country. She urged couples not to take this service as an alternative means to family planning.
The government in the current budget announced free abortion services in the government health institutes.
Also speaking on the occasion, Minister for Health and Population Khagaraj Adhikari said abortion for determining sex is not allowed and the Ministry has formed a mechanism to control this.