Although updated data is not available regarding the magnitude of abortion in Paraguay, the latest reports from the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare show that during 2020 more than 4,000 women entered the public health system as a result of abortion complications.
Likewise, in a compendium prepared by the National Institute of Statistics (INE), during 2020 abortion was on the list of the main causes of consultations registered in the services of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare, with 6,439 cases noted.
According to the specialist surgeon in Gynecology and Obstetrics, Rodrigo Rigoni, most patients have complications when it comes to induced abortions, especially young people and adolescents. The numbers of that reality are alarming, he added.
“Almost 90% of the time, cases of induced abortion end in severe complications because they are performed clandestinely and women are afraid to go to the emergency room. Unfortunately, they are young people or adolescents who wait and endure as long as they can, in the midst of the risk of complications such as hypovolemic shock due to excessive bleeding, ”she said.
The problem of abortion in Paraguay shows how sexual and reproductive health constitutes “a very important pending task” for the country and the region, Rigoni emphasized.
The most frequent complications that force patients to consult after an induced abortion are, for example, severe hemorrhage called “hypovolemic shock”. In addition, due to the precariousness and poor hygiene of the practice instruments, women experience infections that can lead to septic shock and even removal of the uterus, explained the gynecologist and obstetrician.
To prevent this kind of “catastrophic endings”, Rigoni pointed out that a merger of preventive tasks between the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Education and Sciences is required.
“At 13 or 14 years old today they are beginning their sexual life, that is where education should be promoted. If there is no instruction, even if contraceptives or condoms are given away or programs of different talks are created, people are late. The essential pillar would be in comprehensive sexual education from the school stage, ”she stressed.
surgeon specialist in Gynecology and Obstetrics, Rodrigo Rigoni
RECOVERY IN PANDEMIC
Dr. Vicente Acuña, director of the San Pablo Hospital, mentioned that at least in this care center the number of patients who resort due to complications of an induced abortion is negligible.
“Decades ago, perhaps, we received many more cases of infectious conditions resulting from poorly performed induced abortions. Although there was a bit of an uptick during the pandemic, it is not a frequent reason for visiting the hospital,” he commented.
In this sense, the director highlighted that various care centers were enabled to provide assistance in terms of sexual and reproductive health.
For example, Acuña explained that in the San Pablo Hospital they are available
contraception and education programs against Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in centers called “Ñangareko”.
“In these centers training classes are held not only for women, but also for men. Inquiries can also be made,” she concluded.
