In 1995, legislation was passed which made abortion legal as long as it was done within the first 8 weeks of pregnancy and done with the consent of the pregnant woman and by a licensed medical practitioner.
[1] Between 8 and 12 weeks from conception, abortion is only legal if the pending childbirth would result in health risks for the woman or the fetus alternatively if the pregnancy occurred despite the use of contraceptives.
[2] In 1995, Guyana passed what was then considered some of the most liberal abortion laws in South America with the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act.
Bacchus, a gynecologist who advised other doctors on quality of care that coincided with a 41% drop in hospital admissions related to incomplete abortions.
An advisory board for track the results of the bill was formed in 1996, but opponents discouraged religious leaders from joining, damaging the public credibility of such a group.
An untimely death of the first chairman let to a replacement by a member of the International Planned Parenthood Federation, but extensive travel made leadership in the role challenging.
The Family Planning Association of Guyana provides services for poor women, but they are completely dependent on foreign aid.