-Quality assurance of the application must be ensured
Vienna (OTS) – More than 20 years after the approval of the abortion of medication in Austria, the Ministry of Health apparently decided to make the medication available to resident gynecologists. So far, it was only allowed to be given in hospitals. In January 1999 the team at the Gynmed Outpatient Clinic introduced this new method in Austria. Gynmed Head of DDr. Christian Fiala welcomes this extended approval because it basically makes access to abortion lower-threshold and also enables women in the federal states to get care close to home. However, Fiala warns that it can be given to unwanted pregnant women without quality assurance and without advice and follow-up. “This could mean a risk for women,” the doctor warns.
Approved in Austria since 2000
In 2000, the drug – the use of which initially sparked intense controversy – was officially approved by the then large coalition of ÖVP and SPÖ, but only for hospitals. To date, only a few gynecological departments of the 160 hospitals in Austria have abortions.
Good experiences
Those who use Mifegyne have had very good experiences with it: consequently, drug discontinuation has become established over the past 20 years with high quality standards and to the great satisfaction of the patients. Nevertheless, this method was difficult to access for many women in the federal states, who sometimes had to travel far to get Mifegyne.
Assumption of costs would ensure the quality of medical treatment
Another point of criticism: “In Austria women have to pay for both contraception and termination of pregnancy themselves” criticizes Fiala. This has long been standard in all other Western European countries – even in Ireland, where the demolition was only legalized last year. The cost of the treatment is now the order of the day. This is the only way to ensure quality-assured medical care for unwanted pregnant women (with a consultation, ultrasound, aftercare, etc.). “This is also important because for women who already have children, the costs are often a major hurdle. The lack of assumption of costs is not only socially unfair, but also creates socio-political upheavals, ”concludes the doctor.
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