Improving Access to Reproductive Health Services in Ukraine

May 19-20, Lviv, Ukraine

Gynuity, in collaboration with the local partner Woman Health and Family Planning Charitable Foundation, organized a conference in Lviv, Ukraine. Sixty-five participants attended the one and half-day meeting, including representatives from the national and local Ministry of Health, medical providers, and other key stakeholders. The agenda included an introduction from the Ministry of Health on the current situation and challenges on elective termination of pregnancy in Ukraine. Other presentations included Gynuity programs of work and activities in Eastern Europe and Central Asia; first and second trimester medical abortion evidence based practices and new advances; WHO recommendations on safe abortion; medical abortion services in Ukraine and elsewhere; challenges in service delivery; and role of research to inform national guidelines and clinical protocols. Participants discussed next steps for improving access to medical abortion services throughout the country.