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Nilsa, the head of maternity and safe abortion ward in the Chingussura health center in Beira, Mozambique, sits by a door covered with signs that say: "Termination of pregnancy is legal in Mozambique and is free of charge." "It is provided up to 12 weeks of pregnancy (three months)." "Each safe abortion offered is one unsafe abortion prevented." "Safe abortion is also a social emergency. No Stigma. No deaths.”

Safe abortion care

Nilsa, the head of maternity and safe abortion ward in the Chingussura health centre in Beira, Mozambique, May 2023.
© Miora Rajaonary
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Every minute, somewhere in the world a woman or girl has an unsafe abortion. MSF is committed to providing safe abortion care to reduce avoidable suffering and deaths.

Unsafe abortion is one of the main causes of maternal death worldwide, and the only one that is almost entirely preventable.

Every day, our teams around the world witness first-hand the death and suffering caused by unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion. 

That’s how we know that safe abortion care is essential healthcare.

Providing safe abortion care: A medical necessity (Full version / EN)
video

Providing safe abortion care: a medical necessity

MSF considers access to safe abortion care as a critical part of comprehensive reproductive healthcare, one that reduces maternal mortality and suffering.

Our commitment to this issue stems from experience at our projects, where every day we see suffering and death caused by unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions.

In 2023, we treated more than 31,000 women and girls for abortion-related complications, the majority likely due to unsafe abortions.

Safe abortion care

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