Abortions are on the decrease -- There is still significant under-reporting by doctors Guyana Chronicle October 23, 1999 FOUR years after the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act was passed in Parliament, reports show a decrease in the incidence of abortion, but there is still significant under- reporting by doctors. Head of the Abortion Advisory Board Mr. Frederick Cox said this suggests that some doctors are not operating at a professional and ethical level. According to data provided, the majority of abortions are performed on women between the ages of 19 and 29. The records show that from January to June this year, there were 2,282 cases in Region Four. Region One reports are lowest with seven so far, and there are 20 in region Two. From March to December 1996, over a 10 month period, there were 7,531 terminations of pregnancies done by 16 medical practitioners. During 1997, the number of females who had abortions was reduced to 6,614. Those figures were submitted by 16 of the 18 practitioners authorised to perform abortions. In 1998, there were 5,591 abortions; and so far for this year, there were 3,310. The authorities suggest that abortions done this year in Region Four could have been performed on residents from other areas who opted to do their operations away from home. The major reasons given for the abortions are socio-economic situations. The last abortion data was submitted by only 13 of the 18 doctors. Members on the advisory board seem to think that the doctors may have found the information sheets they are required to fill too tedious. The form may have to be revised, they feel. According to a statement made by the board, it has been generally accepted that the implementation of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act has been able to bring about a reduction in the number of abortions performed here. However, the officials admitted that the figures represent only reported cases. Cox is not sure whether there is a greater number of cases not reported than those reported. Cox said that when the act was passed, the board started with a clean slate and there are no figures from the year before (the act) for the purpose of comparison. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Rudolph Cummings said there should be an annual survey for a more realistic estimate of abortions performed. And there has been a cut in funding for the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA), leading to reduced contraceptives for clinics. This means women could not access contraceptives unless they bought them. Dr. Cummings suggested that this might have led to an increase in the incidence of abortions.. In keeping with recommendations of the board, Cox said Health Minister Dr. Henry Jeffrey has made arrangements for the board to be reconstituted to bring it to its full complement of nine members. And there are plans for a training programme in pre- and post-abortion to be held in each region shortly. Also, a secretariat to deal more efficiently with board matters would be established, Cox said. "It is hoped that when health and other professionals are trained in pre- and post-abortion counselling, and contraceptives are made available to women in their reproductive years, abortions will be reduced to the bare minimum in Guyana" Cox said. Also at the press conference was board member Ms. Sheila Chapman. A © page from: Guyana: Land of Six Peoples