Termination of pregnancy in Hong Kong must comply with the Offences Against the Person Ordinance, that is two medical practitioners must agree that one of the following applies:

• the pregnancy will be a mental or psychological risk to the life of the mother
• the woman is under 16
• the foetus has mental or physical abnormalities that would lead to it becoming seriously disabled
• the woman has been victim of rape or incest and the crime has been reported to the police within three months of the date of the offence

In these cases abortion is allowed until 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Procedure for an Abortion

If one of the criteria above pertain, then this is how to proceed:  

Abortions may take place at government-specified hospitals, private clinics, or at Hong Kong Family Planning Association Clinics. Hong Kong resident without private health cover should go to the Family Planning Association (FPA).

• The Family Planning Association of Hong Kong
  At: 10th Floor, Southorn Centre, 130 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
  Tel: 2575 4477
  Family Planning Hotline: 2572 2222
  Fax: 2834 6767
  Website
• To find a local office: Click here

Note: Most expatriates are likely to have private health cover through their or their spouse's employer. In this case the woman may be referred to a private clinic without the need to go through the FPA.

For a termination of pregnancy at a Family Planning Association clinic at least two visits are required before the intervention can take place. In general there is a two-week time lapse between the first visit and the termination of pregnancy. Abortions can only be carried out at Family Planning Association clinics until the tenth week of pregnancy.

The Family Planning Clinic can refer the woman either to the Hospital Authorities or to a private hospital. For all abortions at a Hospital Authority hospital, a referral letter is required from the Family Planning Association, but the final decision will be made by a doctor at the Hospital Authority hospital.

Abortions are carried out with either local or general anaesthesia using prostaglandins or suction evacuation.

The Family Planning Association in Hong Kong provides counselling services. Unmarried mothers under the age of 26 can get advice from the Youth Health Care Centres.

The fee for an abortion is generally higher for non-residents than for Hong Kong residents.

Further Information

• Women on Waves
• Mother's Choice

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