Assessment of actual practices in family planning counseling and uptake in abortion service sites

The contraceptive prevalence rate in Nepal is at a mere 43% and meeting the MDG target of 60% by 2015 seems farfetched. The legalization of abortion has opened many doors for women accessing unsafe abortion services and has contributed positively to the reduction in the maternal mortality rate. Recently, the Government has initiated the provision of medical abortion through skilled birth attendants right up to the VDC level. While this may have positive implications for women continuing to access unsafe abortions services, the dangers of practices using abortion as family planning measures could compound. NFCC feels the need for rapid assessment of uptake of family planning practices in communities from abortion sites and the development of a strategy to ensure and monitor provision of the same at all registered abortion service sites.