FPA India jointly with Ipas, USA will conduct a Comprehensive Abortion Care (CAC) certification training programme, the first of its kind in Maharashtra, for general practitioners. Three FPA clinics, two in Mumbai and one in Pune have been approved by the Government of Maharashtra for the first Trimester Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) training to doctors.

"Ours is the first NGO in India to receive authorisation to conduct MTP training. The maternal mortality rate is increasing today due the unsafe abortion techniques practised. Therefore, experts from our organisation have designed this programme based on their international experience, incorporating the latest advances in abortion care," said Dr. Suchitra Dalvi, medical director, NPA India.

"The training includes legal aspects of MTP service delivery in India, first trimester abortion technologies, hands on skills training in Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) and Electric Vacuum Aspiration (EVA), infection prevention practices, counselling and post abortion care and contraception," she added.

The duration of the training will be of 12- 20 days. The course fee will be Rs 11,000, which includes the cost of training, the course material, handouts and an MVA plus kit.

"We have requested doctors to bring one support staff with them who will be trained free of cost in instrument processing, infection prevention, counselling and post abortion care and contraception. The training for the support staff will be for a week and training materials in Hindi and Marathi will be provided," said Dr Suchitra.

FPAI India is a national voluntary organisation, promoting family planning as a basic human right; providing information and services on the same. The organisation envisions health, particularly sexual and reproductive health for all, especially marginalised and young people, in the broad context of sustainable development leading towards the alleviation of poverty, stabilisation of population, gender equality and human rights. It supports the rights of individuals to reproductive choices, including legal and safe abortion, works towards reducing the spread and the impact of STIs /HIV/AIDS and increasing access to gender sensitive SRH information, education and services.

The collaborating partners of the organisation include, National Integrated Medical Association (NIMA), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), Packard Foundation, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, University of Rochester, USA, Japan Trust Fund, UNFPA, West Wind Foundation, Ford Foundation, Government of India, State AIDS Cell, FHI (Family Health International), CORT (Centre for Operations Research and Training), Humanas and Avert Society.