From October 21-28, 2021, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) organized the XXIII World Congress of Gynecology and Obstetrics, bringing together obstetricians, gynecologists, midwives, nurses, researchers and other specialists alongside policy and decision makers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), patients and advocates. The FIGO World Congress, carried out online, provided a platform for colleagues worldwide to showcase clinical best practice, share the latest research, build alliances, and propose concrete solutions to the challenges in women’s health and rights

Among those participating in the Congress was RHTC Director, Dr. Rodica Comendant. Dr. Comendant presented on the pilot-study “Medical Abortion via Telemedicine for Women and Adolescents in Moldova,” supported by Grand Challenges Canada as part of the OPTions for Pregnancy Termination (OPTions) Initiative. In her presentation, Dr. Comendant highlighted key reasons for launching the study, study methodology, study results, including the effectiveness, safety, acceptability, and cost savings of the medical abortion via telemedicine service, and how the study contributes to the existing body of literature. The study is expected to soon be published in an international journal.

Dr. Comendant also participated in a round table discussion entitled “Technology Updates in Abortion,” with experts from India, Columbia, Chile, and the United Kingdom. One of the primary focuses of the discussion was the increasing availability of medical abortion via telemedicine around the world, including in Moldova.

You can view Dr. Comendant’s presentation on the study “Medical Abortion via Telemedicine for Women and Adolescents in Moldova” in the video below.