There are 4 channels for reporting incidents, including direct walk-in service, using the phone through the call center at number 1300, requesting services through the website of the Social Assistance Center www.oscthailand.go.th, and requesting services through the Mobile Application. After screening the problem and finding an unplanned pregnancy, it will be coordinated and referred to the hospital’s support center for history taking, gestational age assessment, and counseling on options. The decision of the service recipient will have 2 cases: 1) continue the pregnancy, and 2) terminate the pregnancy. The support center will play a role in working in a multidisciplinary manner to coordinate with various agencies to carry out assistance according to the options that align with the problem’s condition. Therefore, it can be seen that the support center has a direct role in implementing this policy quite clearly.
In the overall picture of Thailand, the approach to preventing and managing unplanned pregnancies can be divided into 3 main stages:
- Pre-problem stage: Focus on family upbringing and socialization, including the provision of sex education in schools to build immunity against unplanned pregnancies, as well as providing friendly and accessible contraceptive services effectively.
- Problem occurrence stage: This role starts from reporting unplanned pregnancy issues, such as the social assistance center hotline, school guidance departments, family, and community, etc., to entering option counseling services at the hospital’s support center or various private sector agencies that have missions in providing various assistance according to the options to receive safe and quality care and assistance.
- Problem resolution stage: Both groups that decide to continue the pregnancy and terminate the pregnancy will receive physical, mental, and social rehabilitation, including assistance in legal processes and social welfare, preventing repeat pregnancies, and being able to continue living with quality.
Source: Unplanned Pregnancy Guide of the Support Center