Accessing Safe and Simple Medical Abortion with Profamilia’s Mía Telemedicine Program

Profamilia, the country’s main sexual and reproductive health organization, has Mía, a telemedicine program so that people can access medical abortion safely and simply up to the 12th week of pregnancy. This strategy has reached more than 7,000 users in the country (since 2021) through information, advice and services, especially benefiting those who are in vulnerable situations or do not have easy access to their clinics.

We talk to him Dr. Juan Carlos Vargas, Scientific Advisor of Profamilia to explain how to access this service.

If someone has an unwanted pregnancy, what can they do?

Any woman, regardless of her age, can face an unwanted pregnancy due to various circumstances, such as contraceptive failure, unprotected sex, or sexual violence. If it is less than 72 hours, the person has the option of taking emergency contraception, also known as the morning after pill.

But if more than this period has passed:

1. You should take a pregnancy test, whether urine, blood or an ultrasound.

2. If the test is positive and it is an unwanted pregnancy, the decision is yours. In Colombia, under ruling C-055 of 2022, any woman or pregnant person can access a free and safe abortion until week 24, after this period it can continue to be accessed under the 3 causes: If the pregnancy puts life at risk or health, when it is the result of rape or incest or a fetal malformation incompatible with life outside the womb has been diagnosed.

Once you have made the decision or need advice, you can contact us through the telephone lines, through the website or go to one of the Profamilia offices – you can also schedule an appointment virtually or by telephone. Mía allows you to obtain reliable information about legal and safe abortion in the country.

3. It is important to determine the weeks of pregnancy, since medical abortion can be performed before reaching 12 weeks.

Once the person makes the decision, how does Mía work?

Mía is a safe and legal service to access abortion services via telemedicine and self-manage them at home or in a trusted space with the information, advice and support of Profamilia health professionals. This means that an abortion will be performed without surgical interventions and with an indicated dose of medications.

The service is available until before the 12th week of pregnancy. Assessment appointments are through telemedicine (virtual consultation), or with initial care in the more than 50 clinics nationwide.

If the person exceeds this time, it is recommended to go in person to receive the necessary advice. It is important to remember that In Colombia abortion is free until week 24 and that Profamilia guarantees this access without delays or barriers (after this period it will be possible to access on 3 grounds: if the pregnancy puts your life or health at risk, when it is the result of rape or incest or when a malformation of the fetus is diagnosed incompatible with life outside of the uterus).

How to access?

Contact the line My 318 735 1722, There you will receive advice, attention and support, including monitoring the procedure or a channel for resolving doubts.

Users will be able to access through their EPS, Profamilia has agreements with the main entities in the country, both for the subsidized and contributory regime. You can also access it individually.

What happens once the person uses Mía?

Once the doctor determines that the person has a pregnancy of less than 12 weeks and the user makes the decision to terminate it, advice, guidance and support will be provided to send the Mía kit. This will arrive through our delivery service, ensuring a process of privacy and confidentiality.

The kit includes the required medications and precise instructions for use, as well as general recommendations. Additionally, health professionals will be accompanying the entire process to the extent needed or required. This is a legal and safe self-managed abortion service, but it has 24/7 care if necessary.

Profamilia will also schedule a control appointment between 18 and 21 days to verify that the procedure was correct; Likewise, it will provide advice on contraception and additional information that the user requires in terms of sexual and reproductive health.

Throughout the process the person may access optional psychosocial support if they wish. Although abortion is a different experience for each woman, trans man or non-binary person, it is a personal process focused on the decision, health, dignity and well-being of each person and is a medical service to which one has the right.

For more information about safe and legal abortion, you can contact national toll-free line 300 912 4560, as well as the telephone numbers of the main cities: Bogotá (601) 443 4000, Cali (602) 386 0001, Medellín (604) 283 6688, Barranquilla (605) 319 7928 or through the WhatsApp (+57 318 735 1722).