On December 10, 2019, the Reproductive Health Training Center organized a round table entitled “WHO Medical Abortion Recommendations: the role of primary care in ameliorating access to abortion for women and adolescents from rural Moldova.” As part of the event the pilot project “Medical abortion via telemedicine for women and adolescents in rural Moldova: breaking barriers with technology,” which will be implemented by RHTC with the support of Grand Challenges Canada as part of the OPTions for Pregnancy Termination (OPTions) Initiative, was presented.

The round table was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Social Protection, the State University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Nicolae Testimitanu,” and UNFPA, along with ob-gyn providers, family doctors, and nurses from rural areas.

The goal of the project is to evaluate the safety and feasibility of an innovative telemedicine medical abortion (MA) service designed to reach women and adolescents living in rural Moldova. The project will be implemented for a period of 2 years and will be carried out in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Social Protection’s Department of Primary Care, the State University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Nicolae Testemițanu,” Nr.1 Municipal Hospital in Chisinau, Women’s Health Center “Ana,” and Gynuity Health Projects.

During the round table, participants discussed advantages and benefits of pilot project and ways that they can help inform other providers and patients about the MA via telemedicine service.

“I really enjoyed the event. The pilot project is well-receive, progressive, and show respect and trust in women regardless of their age, but especially for adolescents. Actually, older women could also benefit from this service. I think that this service will have a positive impact on the reproductive health of women because they will have more freedom to exercise their rights, without fear or consequences that negatively influence their health. The fear of unwanted pregnancies will dissipate. In the case of unwanted pregnancy women and girls can rest assured that an abortion will result in any severe complications to their health,” expressed Varvara Iurcu, family doctor from the local medical center in Peresecina.

Svetlana Nicov, gynecologist at the Women’s Health Center “Ana” in Drochia remarked, “Women have the right to choose when they have an unwanted pregnancy. Primary care providers are those that best relate with and are closest to the population and should be a source of credible information with respect to matters like safe abortion.”

Moving forward we will publish additional updates about the project on our website and Facebook page.

Presentations:

• Recomandările OMS privind întreruperea sarcinii în condiții de siguranță. Rodica Comendant
• Sarcina în adoleștență în Republica Moldova. Ludmila Sirbu
• Avortul medicamentos pentru femei și adolescente din mediul rural din Moldova: Înlăturarea barierelor cu ajutorul tehnologiei. Clay Cook

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