Implementation of safe abortion service law in dismal state

March 30, Kathmandu: A large number of women in Nepal have been facing health risk due to unsafe abortion. In some instances, women have lost their lives while going through unsafe abortion.

The law in Nepal has defined safe abortion related service as women’s health right. However, the service has not yet been effective in lack of the implementation of the law.

The Safe Abortion Service Program Management Directives, 2078, recently issued by the Ministry of Health and Population, has authorized local level to grant permission to service providers to operate services related to abortion. 

Still, most of the local governments have not been able to deliver the service.

Health Section Chief of Chandragiri municipality, Rammani Ghimire said, they were not able to deliver the service due to lack of trained human resource at the municipality.

Nepal is a forerunner country in terms of framing adequate laws to make safe abortions service effective.

The country had legalized safe abortion 20 years ago so to ensure women’s reproductive rights.