MSI opens first centre in Mexico City

Team members outside the new MS Mexico centre

Mexico City - MSI's first mini-centre in Mexico City opened its doors on 28 April to clients seeking first trimester abortion services. The MSI centre is located at an existing health facility for adolescents in a centrally located neighbourhood. Over the next 15 months, MSI plans to set up five additional mini-centres in lower income neighbourhoods on the periphery of the city.

A call centre to refer clients to a network of quality abortion providers is also planned, drawing on MSI's experience with similar call centres in the UK and South Africa.

Marie Stopes Mexico (Mexico City) is working with the Ministry of Health to change current requirements that abortion must be preformed in a surgical theatre, and by specialist providers such as surgeons, gynecologists or obstetricians.

The Mexico City Congress legalised first trimester abortion in April 2007, resulting in one of the most progressive abortion laws in Latin America. Anti-choice activists have mobilised quickly to challenge the constitutionality of Mexico City's law. The Supreme Court will determine if the law is constitutional and is expected to rule on the issue in August.