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Family Planning Day: Doctors focus on unsafe abortions
The touchy topic of abortion was discussed at the inauguration of Family Planning Day last week where medical experts tried to dispel myths about the use of contraceptives and means of reducing unwanted pregnancies, thus reducing the number of unsafe abortions in the country.
Health Promotion Bureau Director Dr Paba Palihawadana told the Sunday Times that unsafe abortions could be reduced through family planning.
“The famous misconception about family planning is that people think we are trying to reduce the population of the country by limiting the number of children. In reality, we want to find a solution to all unsafe abortions,’’ she said.
According to Dr Palihawadana, because abortion is illegal in Sri Lanka, people are forced seek out those who provide unsafe abortions.
“In the given context of unsafe abortions, abortion cannot be regarded as a method of family planning,’’ she said.
Consultant community physician of the Family Health Bureau, Dr S S P Godakanda said that unintended pregnancies result in more abortions. Dr Godakanda said there have also been an immense number of repeat abortions. This is why family planning needs to be promoted.
“Induced unsafe abortions can lead to over 100 complications, which could cause both physical and psychological complications in the long run,’’ he said.
Physical complications would include infections, haemorrhage, and, in the long term, it could also lead to infertility in 3-5% and a higher risk of death in future pregnancies. He also added that the psychological complications include nervous disorders and sleep disorders within eight weeks of an abortion.
Dr Godakanda said that the general view of the medical community was that abortion should be legalised on certain grounds.
“Many pregnant mothers have been diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease in the North Central Province, and still have to continue their pregnancies despite recurring complications,” said Dr Gihan Abeywardena, consultant psychiatrist at the Kandy Teaching Hospital. He, too, said that doctors hold the collective opinion that abortion should be allowed on certain grounds.
Dr Abeywardena said in cases such as incest and rape, or when it has been proven that the child is suffering from a life-threatening deformity at the early stages of the pregnancy, or instances where the pregnancy is threatening the life of the mother, the option of aborting the foetus should be available.
“However, unfortunately, due to external pressure, these grounds are not considered. Those who oppose giving the option of aborting a foetus in such instances do not understand the psychological trauma that mothers undergo when they give birth under such conditions,’’ he said.
He said that one important topic that no one discusses, is the high number of unplanned pregnancies among mentally impaired young girls who are abused. “It is most unfortunate to see them go through their pregnancy when they can’t even provide for their basic needs,’’ he said.
According to Dr Abeywardena, the procedure to gain permission for abortion in cases of exceptions, is tedious, as four independent opinions from two independent specialists (two psychiatrists and two obstetricians) must be obtained. Permission also must be obtained from a magistrate for an abortion.
“If a patient is to undergo an abortion, the foetus should be terminated before 12 weeks, but with this tedious procedure abortion becomes an impossible task,’’ he said.