Abortion is safe when performed according to evidence-based practices, such as those outlined in the World Health Organization’s Abortion Care Guidelines. Yet, globally, half of all abortions remain unsafe, conducted by individuals lacking proper skills or in facilities that do not meet minimal medical standards. Complications from unsafe abortion—including haemorrhage, infection, and injuries to the genital tract or internal organs—can be life-threatening.

“Many healthcare providers in high-need countries have not received formal training in family planning and comprehensive abortion care, yet are expected to deliver essential services,” explains Ulrika Rehnström Loi, midwife and technical officer at WHO. Safe abortion care requires health workers to be skilled in recommended procedures, pain and complication management, and counselling, while ensuring care is respectful, confidential, rights-based, and linked to post-abortion and contraceptive services.

Closing the Knowledge Gap

To address gaps in healthcare capacity, WHO and the UN Special Programme in Human Reproduction (HRP) collaborated with midwives, doctors, regional teams, and other stakeholders to develop the Family Planning and Abortion Care Toolkit. This three-volume toolkit outlines 57 essential competencies that primary healthcare workers should master. These competencies guide both formal education and lifelong workplace learning, focusing on outcomes rather than just theoretical knowledge.

Competencies set benchmarks not only for education but also for professional performance, helping to define standards, plan professional development, and improve job effectiveness.

Online Learning for Healthcare Providers

HRP and the WHO Academy have launched online courses to strengthen healthcare providers’ skills in comprehensive abortion care.

The first course, Medical Abortion, is a self-paced program based on WHO’s guidelines. It includes four modules:

1. Pre-abortion assessment

2. Fundamentals of medical abortion

3. Administration and follow-up of medical abortion

4. Service delivery and health system considerations

Participants receive a WHO Academy Award of Completion for each module.

“The training updated my knowledge and skills, allowing me to provide safe, quality medical abortion services according to national guidelines,” shares Nani Kaway, a registered nurse in Nepal.

The second course, Integration of a Human Rights-Based Approach to Comprehensive Abortion Care, provides practical tools for ensuring services are accessible, equitable, and respectful.

WHO and HRP are developing additional courses on surgical abortion and post-abortion care to complete the comprehensive learning package.

Digital Tools and Mobile Support

A mobile app guides healthcare workers through patient assessment, identifies potential risks, generates recommendations and checklists, and helps schedule follow-ups and referrals. A clinical practice handbook complements this by translating WHO guidelines into actionable steps for day-to-day care.

With these programs and digital tools widely available, WHO and HRP are closing knowledge gaps and empowering providers to deliver safe, evidence-based abortion care worldwide.

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