We Stand Against the Ban on Telemedicine Abortion – A Dangerous Setback for Women’s Health and Rights
We, the undersigned organizations and advocates for reproductive health and rights, strongly condemn the decision of Moldova’s Minister of Health, Ala Nemerenco, to ban telemedicine medical abortion services. This harmful and unjustified restriction endangers women’s health, violates international medical guidelines, and rolls back essential reproductive rights.
Telemedicine medical abortion has been a safe, effective, and necessary service, particularly for women in rural areas and those facing barriers to in-person care. Since its introduction in Moldova in 2020, this service has provided vital healthcare access, ensuring that women can safely terminate pregnancies with proper medical guidance. The World Health Organization (WHO) explicitly recommends telemedicine medical abortion as a recognized standard of care, citing its safety, effectiveness, and ability to reduce costs and barriers to healthcare.
Despite this, the Moldovan government has chosen to act against scientific evidence and human rights, basing its decision on an anti-abortion petition signed by just 18 individuals with no medical expertise. The rationale provided—concerns about Moldova becoming a so-called “tele-abattoir for unborn children”—is not only inflammatory but disregards the fundamental rights and healthcare needs of women. This move prioritizes ideology over medical science and bodily autonomy.
The Consequences of This Ban:
- Increased Health Risks: Restricting access to legal abortion services does not reduce the need for abortion; it only forces women to seek unsafe methods.
- Barrier to Healthcare Access: Many women, especially in rural and underserved areas, relied on telemedicine abortion as their only option for timely and safe care.
- Violation of International Health Standards: The WHO’s 2022 guidelines reaffirm telemedicine abortion as a safe, effective, and necessary component of modern healthcare.
Our Demands:
- Immediate Reversal of the Ban – The Moldovan Ministry of Health must restore access to telemedicine abortion services in line with WHO recommendations.
- Protection of Women’s Reproductive Rights – Moldova must uphold its commitments to human rights, gender equality, and safe healthcare access.
- Scientific and Evidence-Based Policies – Reproductive health policies must be driven by medical science and not by political or ideological influence.
- Regional and International Oversight – We call on European institutions, UN bodies, and international human rights organizations to urge Moldova to reinstate telemedicine abortion and safeguard reproductive rights.
This decision is a major setback for women’s healthcare in Moldova and sets a dangerous precedent for other countries in the region. We urge the Moldovan government to prioritize the health, dignity, and rights of women over misinformation and ideological pressure.We stand in solidarity with Moldova’s reproductive rights advocates and call on all allies—policymakers, international organizations, and civil society—to join us in demanding the reversal of this unjust ban.
