The State Duma has proposed reducing the abortion period to 9 weeks

The State Duma Committee on Health Protection recommended that the Ministry of Health reduce the abortion period by three weeks, RIA Novosti reports .

“To the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation: study the issue of reducing the period of artificial termination of pregnancy at the request of the woman from twelve to nine weeks,” reads the recommendations, which were obtained by the agency.

In addition, the deputies proposed that the Ministry of Health prepare amendments to the legislation that would establish that rape would be a “social indication” for artificial termination of pregnancy.

At the moment, a woman can terminate a pregnancy up to the 12th week at her request. However, if there are “social indications,” which include rape, the death of a spouse, or, for example, a term under criminal articles, then an abortion can be performed up to the 22nd week. For medical reasons, a pregnancy in Russia can be terminated at any time, Kommersant notes .

The State Duma Committee on Health Protection also sent its recommendations to Roszdravnadzor. The parliamentarians called on the service to strengthen control over medications for medical abortion and prevent their use outside medical organizations.

Earlier in June, the Ministry of Health approved new clinical guidelines for abortions. Thus, before the procedure, doctors are required to perform an ultrasound so that the woman can see the fetus and hear its heartbeat. They must also refer the woman to a consultation with a psychologist.

The day before it became known that the State Duma is preparing a bill on the right to life and health protection of a child before birth. "Verstka", citing anonymous sources, writes that this document will not affect women's rights to abortion, but will only regulate the issue of treating a child in the womb.

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