Russia Moves Abortion Services Out of Private Clinics as More Regions Shift to State Control
Church-backed officials cast the pullback as stricter oversight of private medicine paired with new perinatal support.
Overview
- The Patriarchal Commission reported that private providers in 52 regions have fully or partially stopped abortions, with the total reaching 816 clinics.
- Church figures now say all commercial providers have ceased abortions in at least 14 regions, while a TASS report from the commission cited 15.
- Regional leaders in the Republic of Altai and Smolensk region announced that all private clinics there revoked abortion licenses, completing their local transitions.
- Altai relaunched psychological, medical-social and legal assistance at its perinatal center, created a young mothers’ school and pregnancy consultations, and says 30% of women seeking referrals decided against abortion.
- Regulator Roszdravnadzor has accused private clinics of systematic violations, including ignoring waiting periods, advertising the procedure and offering same-day terminations without required counseling.