Bringing abortion care closer

MSI United States
Her Future
Published in
2 min readAug 4, 2020

In Mexico, accessing abortion can be a challenge — and the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown up new barriers. But with a little creativity, MSI Mexico (MSMx) is finding ways to make abortion available to people who need it.

Clients wait at an MSI center in Mexico City

Less travel, more peace of mind for clients seeking abortion

Until recently, abortion was only legal in Mexico City. Many women are forced to travel to access abortion care. That’s why, in 2017, MSMx launched 3 Early Medical Units at the borders of the city and along major transportation routes. These first three units served people traveling to Mexico City for abortion care.

Since 2017, MSMx added more units around the city that have delivered more than 98,000 safe abortion and contraception services. For clients who face barriers of distance and stigma, these convenient locations have meant less time travelling and a little more peace of mind. This operating model is now self-sustaining, ensuring safe abortion care will continue to be available.

A client enters an Early Medical Unit in Mexico City.

Responding to COVID-19

When COVID-19 hit, fewer women could travel to Mexico City for services, and MSMx adapted quickly and added infection prevention measures to protect clients and providers from COVID-19 so safe services will continue to be available to women who need them.

Despite legal barriers and the COVID-19 pandemic, MSMx continues to make choice possible in Mexico City, thereby empowering clients to determine their own futures. Everyone, no matter where they live, should have this choice.

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MSI United States
Her Future

We are part of a global organization working in 37 countries, unified by our unwavering commitment to help every woman have children by choice, not chance.