Table 2.
COVID-19 safe abortion response map summaries for case study countries.
| Bolivia | |
|---|---|
| Organization | Ipas Ipas is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation that has been working since 1973 in more than 20 countries on three continents: America, Africa and Asia. In Bolivia, it began its activities in 1998, focusing on strengthening the capacity of women, girls and young people so that they can recognise and exercise their Sexual and Reproductive Rights. In Bolivia, Ipas provides in-person provision of information on termination of pregnancy to a largely indigenous population. |
| Sector | Non-governmental organisation |
| Area of response | Accompaniment and information provision |
| Description of response | A theoretical and practical training process was carried out for the agents on the use of medical abortion (Misoprostol and Mifepristone). The pandemic posed a challenge as they could not provide information in person, so they began to use social media for communication. |
| Mali | |
| Organization | Population Services International (PSI) PSI’s interventions address needs in family planning; safe abortion, maternal, new-born, and child health (MNCH); HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs); water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH); malaria; and primary healthcare (PHC), among others. Abortion in Mali is restricted and legal only to save the life of the pregnant person and in cases of rape and incest. Both medication abortion and surgical abortion are available for post-abortion care and pregnancy termination. Medication abortion is legal through 13 weeks gestation. PSI has trained public and private sector providers on post-abortion care and manual vacuum aspiration and distributes misoprostol. |
| Sector | Private-not-for-profit |
| Area of response | Quality assurance |
| Description of response | To maintain quality services and prevent COVID-19 transmission, PSI/Mali utilised WhatsApp for supportive supervision for PAC and post-abortion contraception. |
| Nepal | |
| Organization | MSI Reproductive Choices |
| Sector | Private-not-for-profit |
| Area of response | CAC service delivery |
| Description of response | MSI Nepal worked to ensure passage of “Interim Guidelines on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health” that made is legal to provide medical abortion services outside of a certified health facility. Important new provisions include: medical abortion services allowed at home and all licenced chemists allowed to stock and dispense medical abortion products. |
| occupied Palestinian territory | |
| Organization | International Planned Parenthood Federation Member Association, Palestinian Family Planning and Protection Association (PFPPA) PFPPA operate a harm reduction approach to abortion care, providing women with counselling and accurate information on the safest methods to avoid an unsafe abortion, and post-abortion care and follow-up. Prior to the pandemic, harm reduction services were provided in-person at PFPPA clinics. |
| Sector | Public |
| Area of response | Digital health interventions |
| Description of response | During the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdown restrictions that prevented women from accessing in-person services at clinics, PFPPA established a toll-free call centre which provides consultations, counselling, referrals and follow-up, including consultation for abortion care through a harm reduction approach, ensuring that women are provided with accurate information. |