[Safe illegal abortion would make an important contribution to decreasing maternal mortality and female suffering]

Abstract

Unsafe abortion is a major public health concern in many developing countries, contributing to a substantial proportion of maternal deaths. Increased legal access to abortion services is associated with improvement in mortality and morbidity. Safe illegal abortion by means of drugs is another possible way to prevent this unnecessary harm to women. The Dutch government, however, is now proposing legal changes that will diminish the access to medical abortion by general practitioners.