17 Apr 2015
MH 78:20
17 April 2015
CEO and Licensee of Approved TOP Institutions
REVISED GUIDELINES ON TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY
The Ministry of Health (MOH) has revised the Guidelines on Termination of Pregnancy (TOP). The key revisions are summarized below.
I. EXTENSION OF PRE-ABORTION COUNSELLING
2. With the implementation of the revised Guidelines on TOP, the pre-abortion counselling shall now be provided to ALL pregnant women seeking termination of pregnancy in Singapore, regardless of nationality, educational level and number of children whom the women have given birth to. 1
II. REFRESHER TRAINING COURSE FOR ABORTION COUNSELLORS
3. All existing abortion counsellors of an approved institution MUST undergo the refresher training course before the approved institution applies to renew its approval.
4. Abortion counsellors who have not provided abortion counselling for a period of 2 years or more, and who are keen to resume providing abortion counselling, are also required to first undergo the refresher training course.
III. RECOMMENDED COUNSELLING COMPONENTS FOR PRE AND POSTABORTION COUNSELLING
5. The recommended counselling components for the abortion coinselling sessions are appended in Annex B of the revised Guidelines on Termination of
1 The Guidelines on TOP issued in April 2004 stated that pre-abortion counselling must be provided for a pregnant woman, regardless of her marital status, who:
(a) is a Singapore citizen or permanent resident;
(b) has passed the primary school leaving examination (PSLE);
(c) has at least some secondary education; and
(d) has less than three children.
Pregnancy. Nonetheless, the abortion counselling sessions should be tailored in accordance to the needs of the pregnant woman, as and when necessary.
IV. OTHER REQUIREMENTS
6. For pre-abortion counselling for girls below 16 years of age (except for rape victims), the Certificate of Attendance form shall be attached to the Patient's case notes by the approved institution performing the abortion procedures for documentation and audit purposes.
7. Annex F of the revised Guidelines on Termination of Pregnancy ("Guidelines on Requirments for Premises to be used for the Treatment to Terminate Pregnancy") makes clear that sufficient lighting and emergency lighting shall be provided for the operating room.
V. EFFECTIVE DATE
8. The revised Guidelines on Termination of Pregnancy will take effect from 17 April 2015, and supersedes the current Guidelines on Termination of Pregnancy which were issued in April 2004.
VI. FOR COMPLIANCE
9. Please ensure that a copy of this circular is circulated to all relevant staff for their information and compliance.
10. In addition, you may refer to paragraphs 2.1 and 6.1 of the revised Guidelines for updated website links for the (i) application and qualification as approved institution; and (ii) returns/ reports on requests for treatment to terminate pregnancy.
11. For further clarifications, please email moh_hosptial_services@moh.gov.sg.
Thank You.
Associate Professor Benjamin Ong
Director of Medical Services
Ministry of Health
For information on Revised Guidelines on Termination of Pregnancy (Dated 17 Apr 2015), please click on the download link below:
Download [.PDF, 3MB]