Obstetricians and Pediatricians Unite to Urge Society to Change Perspective: Unplanned Pregnancies are Patients, Requesting Doctors and Hospitals to Provide Safe Abortion Options. The Law Supports Compliance with Indications Without Penalty. Statistics Show Illegal Abortions are Extremely Dangerous, with a Mortality Rate of 300 per 100,000 Population. The Thai Health Promotion Foundation (THPF) Supports Access to Safe and Friendly Alternative Services Through a Network of Volunteers for Safe Abortion Referrals.
Dr. Wiwat Rojanapithayakorn, Director of the Health Policy and Management Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, stated at the 3rd National Conference on Sexual Health, “Teenage Pregnancy: From Strategy to Sustainable Practice,” organized by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (THPF) and its network partners, that in 2017, there were 84,578 births by women under 20 years old. The number of abortions is unclear, but it is estimated to be close to the number of births, with approximately 200,000 pregnancies, of which about 100,000 are likely to be terminated.
Prof. Emeritus Dr. Viboonpan Thitadilok, former President of the Royal Thai College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, stated that the most important aspect of addressing unplanned pregnancies is prevention. However, if an unplanned pregnancy occurs, comprehensive and thorough information about options must be provided. According to the Prevention and Solution of the Adolescent Pregnancy Problem Act, B.E. 2559, Section 5, adolescents have the right to make their own decisions and have the right to receive information, knowledge, and reproductive health services.
Additionally, the Penal Code and the Medical Council’s regulations allow doctors to terminate pregnancies legally if they meet any of the following criteria: 1) The pregnancy affects the mother’s physical health, 2) Affects the mother’s mental health, 3) The fetus is at high risk of severe disability or severe genetic disease, 4) The pregnancy resulted from rape, coercion, threats, or involves a child under 15 years old, even if consensual. Termination can be performed by a doctor in a clinic if the pregnancy is not more than 12 weeks; if more, it must be done by a doctor in a hospital.
Prof. Emeritus Dr. Viboonpan further stated that safe abortion methods include vacuum aspiration or medication, used for early-stage pregnancies. Thailand has registered this medication since 2014 and has a control system to prevent commercial use. Medical facilities that have and use the medication must register with the Department of Health and undergo training in abortion medication use, with strict accounting for drug dispensing.
The issue of doctors refusing treatment forces women with unplanned pregnancies to resort to dangerous illegal abortions, leading to severe complications such as sepsis, pelvic infections, hemorrhage, uterine perforation, and kidney failure.
Data from the National Health Security Office (NHSO) indicates that in 2008 and 2009, over 30,000 patients annually received treatment for complications from abortions, with an estimated mortality rate of 300 per 100,000 population. Doctors play a crucial role in addressing unsafe abortion issues.
“The push for this is not intended to promote widespread abortion, but some individuals have life circumstances that necessitate pregnancy termination, and they should receive safe treatment. Therefore, obstetricians and general practitioners should understand this issue and change their perspective that women with unplanned pregnancies seeking legal termination are patients who need medical assistance and safe services,” Prof. Emeritus Dr. Viboonpan said.
Prof. Dr. Somsak Lohlekha, former President of the Medical Council and Committee of the Royal College of Pediatricians of Thailand, stated that currently, 54 countries allow safe abortion, covering 61% of the world’s population. Globally, there are approximately 56 million abortions annually, 45% of which are unsafe, with a high risk of death. However, safe abortions following medical standards have a very low risk of death. Data from the United States shows that women giving birth naturally have a 13 times higher risk of death than those undergoing safe abortions.
Dr. Sirikiat Liangkobkit, Director of the Health Risk Factor Control Support Office, THPF, stated that THPF collaborates with the Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, and networks supporting women’s choices for unplanned pregnancies to strengthen knowledge and connectivity among various sectors, both within and outside the network, for the volunteer team (Referral system for Safe Abortion: RSA). This network of medical personnel in both public and private service units is dedicated to assisting adolescents and women with unplanned pregnancies to receive appropriate help, providing safe options for those facing such issues. Additionally, to prevent teenage pregnancies, THPF collaborates with network partners to campaign for people of all genders and ages to carry and use condoms.
For those facing unplanned pregnancy issues, they can contact the hotline 1663 for consultation and access to the RSA network every day from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM or contact via Facebook: 1663 AIDS and Unplanned Pregnancy Consultation Hotline, available 24 hours.
Source: https://www.khaosod.co.th/special-stories/news_2194379