Although 21 health facilities including the district hospital in Ilam have been providing safe abortion services free of cost, many women are still risking their lives opting for unsafe abortion procedures in Ilam Municipality.

According to the data of the district hospital, 32 women who had underwent unsafe abortion arrived at the hospital for treatment in the first six months of the running fiscal year. Lack of awareness on safe abortion services and policies among women in the municipality has led to many opting for unsafe abortions.

“In case of unwanted pregnancy, most women do not seek safe abortion services at health facilities or the district hospital. Unmarried women especially fear the stigma that is attached to being pregnant,” said Kedar Bhandari, a district coordinator of Ipas Nepal, a non-governmental organisation working in the field of safe abortion. “It is necessary to raise awareness among women about the consequences of unsafe abortion.”

In Sakhejung Health Post alone, 62 women underwent abortion within the running fiscal year. As per the data of the district hospital, 91 women who underwent unsafe abortion received treatment in the fiscal year 2017/18 whereas the number was 85 in the fiscal year 2016/17.

In the running fiscal year, 88 women underwent abortions in Ilam Hospital whereas 606 others from various health facilities.