The number of safe abortions has been declining in recent times. According to the Health Office, the number of safe abortions in Kathmandu district has been declining in the last three years.
According to the statistics, 777 people have availed safe abortion services in the fiscal year 2075-76, 581 in 2076-77 and 565 in 2077-78. Of them, 55 are under the age of 20. In the district, 24 people in the fiscal year 2075-76, 20 in the fiscal year 2076-77 and 11 people under the age of 20 in the last fiscal year have availed safe abortion services.
Chief of the Health Office, Yogesh Prasad Bhat, said that the number of women seeking abortion has decreased due to the increasing availability and use of family planning services. "Safe abortions may be declining because of the increase in family planning services," she said.
The health office said that the number of abortions has increased in Terai region.
Similarly, safe abortion services are being provided in the district from nine listed institutions. According to the Health Office, out of the 24 listed institutions in the district three years ago, services are now available from nine institutions. Services are available at District Hospital, Siddheshwar Health Post, Patan Primary Health Center, Vishalpur Health Post, Sharmali Health Post, Haat Health Post, RIM Health Post, Kotpetra Health Post and Giregada Health Post.
The service is closed in the remaining institutions due to lack of trained health workers which puts the risk of unsafe abortion.
Health workers have urged to get safe abortion services only from the listed health institutions. Chief of the Health Office, Bhatta, said that initiatives are being taken to provide safe abortion services from the 15 listed institutions that are currently closed.
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