Akola Thompson, Akeisha Cave, Sandi Bowen
June 11, 2025
Dear Editor,
In May, Guyana marked the 30th anniversary of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTOP) Act of 1995. As we reflect on this milestone, we consider both the significance of this landmark legislation and the continued struggle for reproductive justice in our country. This law, passed on May 4, 1995, established Guyana as a regional leader in reproductive rights, making it one of only two countries in the Caribbean where abortion is legally available on request in early pregnancy.
The MTOP Act remains remarkably progressive even by today’s standards. It legalizes abortion on request up to 8 weeks, provides broader access between 8-12 weeks with a single medical practitioner’s approval, and includes provisions for later abortions with additional medical consultation. Crucially, it acknowledges various grounds for access, including physical and mental health risks, fetal abnormalities, rape, incest, HIV status, and contraceptive failure. The legislation explicitly respects patient confidentiality and autonomy, requiring neither partner nor parental notification. Additionally, the law also allows mid-level health professionals such as medexes, midwives, nurses, pharmacists, and other appropriately trained and registered persons to lawfully provide nonsurgical abortions in early pregnancy under the supervision of a medical practitioner.
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