CONTENTS
HIGHLIGHTS
September, 1997 |
Planning Care To Save Women's
Lives Abortion complications are a common medical emergency in developing countries. Yet, in most, postabortion care is provided in a crisis atmosphere (34, 46). Most developing-country health systems, whatever their national policies toward induced abortion, do not systematically plan for or effectively provide emergency medical care for women suffering from abortion complications (114, 148, 209, 277, 279, 289). As a result, treatment is often delayed and ineffective, with life-threatening and costly consequences. As researchers Judith Fortney and Karungari Kiragu summarized regarding postabortion care in Africa:
Women may be left without emergency care, either through lack of planning or foresight on the part of health care providers, because the women themselves are afraid to seek care when complications arise because abortion is illegal, or because providers themselves do not place priority on treating these women, even when their condition is critical. Furthermore, the lack of coordination between postabortion care and family planning facilities leaves many women who do survive postabortion complications at risk for another unplanned pregnancy and another unsafe abortion (74). Recently, statements from major international meetings have recognized unsafe abortion as a global public health concern and called for improved medical care for women suffering abortion complications (see sidebar, International Statements Urge Humane Postabortion Care). |