Dr. Wachira Pengchan, Director-General of the Department of Health, stated that the World Health Organization estimates that each year there are approximately 46 million abortions worldwide. Of these, about 20 million are unsafe abortions, and approximately 70,000 women die each year from unsafe abortions, with 95% occurring in developing countries, including Thailand. However, there is still no clear data on pregnancy terminations because many women with unplanned pregnancies cannot access safe and legal services, leading them to seek illegal abortion services or purchase abortion pills online.
Dr. Wachira said that in the past, to reduce the harm from illness and death from unsafe abortions, the Department of Health collaborated with the Faculty of Medicine at Chulalongkorn University, Siriraj, Ramathibodi, Khon Kaen, and Songkhla Nakarin, with support from the Concept Foundation and the World Health Organization, to research the system of providing medical abortion services. Subsequently, the drug was registered in 2014 and included in the national essential drug list in 2015 for use in legal and medical council-regulated pregnancy termination services.
“For over 60 years, Thai law has allowed women to terminate pregnancies under the Criminal Code, Section 305, where the provider must be a licensed medical practitioner. This applies in cases where the pregnant woman has physical or mental health issues or the pregnancy results from a criminal act as defined, such as rape, a child under 15 years old, consensual or non-consensual sex work, or indecent deception. However, in the past, there have been very few health facilities providing safe abortion services due to societal attitudes and many healthcare providers viewing pregnancy termination negatively and opposing the provision of such services in their facilities. Therefore, the Department of Health has promoted the establishment of the Referral System for Safe Abortion (RSA) network to improve access to services for adolescents and women with unplanned pregnancies,” Dr. Wachira said.
Dr. Wachira stated that those with problems can call the unplanned pregnancy consultation line at 1663 to receive counseling services and referrals, whether the choice is to continue the pregnancy or terminate it, including providing effective contraception services. Currently, the RSA network has 110 officially appointed volunteer doctors from the Department of Health and 262 multidisciplinary volunteers to ensure Thai women have a good quality of life in recognition of International Women’s Day.
Source: https://www.matichon.co.th/news/297483