– I think it’s a shame that health-promoting and preventive work once again becomes a balancing item when money is to be saved, says Vibeke Ortun. She is business manager at the youth health center in Lier. The atmosphere there is, to put it mildly, tense after it became known that the nationwide service Amathea has to put the hook on the door at several offices in Norway. Amathea offers free follow-up before and after abortion. But in this autumn’s state budget, the government decided to cut support for the foundation by NOK 6.2 million. The result is that the offices in Bodø, Drammen, Hamar, Kristiansand, Skien and Tønsberg have to close. – The fact that the offer is now disappearing will be a loss for the young people, continues a despairing Ortun. Reluctant to seek help On Monday, the news hit like a bomb. The nationwide service Amathea has to close six out of ten offices as a result of the government’s cuts. Each year, 2,500 women and couples receive follow-up before and after an abortion. Now thousands will be without help. The health center cannot replace Amathea’s expertise, believes Vibeke Ortun. Photo: Anders Haualand / news Ortun fears that many young people in a vulnerable situation will now be afraid to seek help elsewhere. – Unplanned pregnancy is a very, very touchy and vulnerable topic for many. This means that people may be reluctant to seek out other parts of the health service and the health apparatus when they are unsure of what to do. – A great loss Amathea collaborates with the municipal health service, GPs and hospitals. With their expertise, they supplement the healthcare system. – They have a lot of cutting-edge expertise on the topic. They contribute in teaching, in collaboration meetings and in follow-up of the users, says Ortun. She believes that the municipal health service cannot contribute with the same specialist expertise as Amathea. Which in turn affects vulnerable people in a difficult time. – I hope we can still assist the young people in conversations. But we cannot replace the attendance and direct contact that a local office has. A place where you can clear your mind and gain slightly different perspectives. They must be helped to stand by the choice they make – because you have to live with that. Brutal and frustrating – It’s frustrating to say the least to know that we can’t reach our users with the health service we have. Kristin Koldsland is a psychiatric nurse at Amathea in Drammen. One of the offices that now has to close. Kristin Koldsland at Amathea in Drammen thinks the decision is brutal. Photo: Anders Haualand / news They have welcomed young, pregnant users from all over old Buskerud. A large region. She says that they have also made an effort to visit the users, if a pregnant woman has expressed a desire to do so – whether it has been at Hønefoss or at Kongsberg. Now the offer will disappear. – It is brutal. Brutal for our users who we talk to daily and help, says Koldsland. Very difficult to understand the government’s cuts Andrea Skaarer Kreutz is director of Amathea. She thinks the situation is hopeless. Andrea Skaarer Kreutz is director of Amathea. She is unable to understand the government’s cuts. Photo: Anders Haualand / news – First of all, this is very sad on behalf of the women, men and partners who need an Amathea office nearby, says Kreutz and continues: – It is sad for Amathea for the service we are going to be. In addition to the fact that this is yet another cut in the offer linked to the offer for women’s health – of which we have seen several. – What do you think about being de-prioritised in the national budget? – Hard to understand. It is about the fact that women’s health has been high on the agenda and a desired area of focus for several parties. In addition, abortion has never been so thematized as now. An abortion committee has been set up to look into this, specifically following up on women before and after an abortion. With that in mind, this is very difficult to understand, concludes Kreutz. Must apply for funds instead State Secretary Karl Kristian Bekeng (Ap) Photo: Esten Borgos / BORGOS FOTO AS State Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Care, Karl Kristian Bekeng, says they still set aside a lot of money for health promotion work, but that more of the funds must be sought . – There are a number of organizations that now find that they have to apply for funds instead of earmarking, says Bekeng.
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– Unplanned pregnancy is a very touchy and vulnerable topic – news Oslo og Viken – Local news, TV and radio
