Contraception and MTP in COVID Times

Abstract

In this pandemic of COVID-19, women's health is disproportionately affected due to reduced access to contraceptive and safe abortion services. It has led to increased incidence of unsafe abortions, unwanted pregnancy, and quack practices. With the help of government services and policymakers, all these services should be made easily approachable to women. Basic guidelines of COVID precaution should be clearly explained to women and adolescent girls, safe contraception methods and their access should be known to patients. Telemedicine can play a huge role in covering all these aspects of women's health. Psychological counseling by doctors and health service providers reduces fear and anxiety regarding their health issues. Contraception can reduce the need for termination of pregnancy, resulting in the reduced risk of women and girls facing unsafe abortions. Recently, the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) data reveal that if lockdown continues for another 6 months, 47 million women in low- and middle-income countries may not be able to access contraception and that 7 million unintended pregnancies are expected to occur globally. Hence, contraception and medical termination of pregnancy services also have to be taken as prime importance among all the other gynec services to avoid upcoming population explosion.