Leading international health organizations, including the International Confederation of Midwives and the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, have released their first joint statement advocating for comprehensive abortion care as an essential component of healthcare.

The statement emphasizes that access to safe and comprehensive abortion services is critical for protecting the health, rights, and dignity of women and girls. It highlights the role of trained healthcare providers, including midwives, in delivering evidence-based care across the full spectrum of reproductive health services.

According to the joint declaration, comprehensive abortion care includes not only safe procedures, but also accurate information, counseling, post-abortion care, and access to contraception. The organizations stress that these services should be available without discrimination and integrated into national health systems.

A key message of the statement is that restricting access to abortion does not eliminate the need for it. Instead, it often leads to unsafe practices that can result in serious health complications or death. Ensuring access to safe services is therefore presented as both a public health priority and a human rights obligation.

The statement also calls on governments, policymakers, and healthcare institutions to remove legal and systemic barriers that limit access to abortion care. It encourages investment in training, supportive policies, and the inclusion of midwives as essential providers in abortion services.

This joint position reflects a growing global consensus within the medical community that comprehensive abortion care is fundamental to achieving universal health coverage and improving maternal health outcomes.

Source: Original article (in English)