Doctors Warn That Abortion Sentence Risks The Lives Of Women In Malta
Maltese NGO Doctors For Choice has warned that the suspended sentence handed to a woman who had an abortion puts the lives of women who can get pregnant at serious risk.
Doctors Isabel Stabile and Natalie Psaila told Lovin Malta that the fear of legal repercussions – now emboldened by this sentencing – deters women from seeking medical help after undergoing an abortion. The consequences of this can be fatal.
“This is a real problem because 600 women are risking their lives each year. This is unacceptable.”
Earlier today, a 28-year-old woman was given a 22-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, for having an abortion after procuring medication online. The woman went to the hospital after experiencing pain and told her doctors that she had an abortion. She was then criminally charged.
“We are highly disappointed in the medical staff at Mater Dei who have abandoned data protection and confidentiality and reported their own patient to the police. This is unheard of in civilised countries.”
Stabile and Psaila said that patients should always be able to trust that their doctor will act in their best interests, emphasising that healthcare practitioners do not have an obligation to report.
A lack of trust in healthcare professionals puts “women, wives, loved ones, mothers, sisters, daughters, aunts and all other persons who can get pregnant at risk”.
Stabile compared this to a drug addict being discouraged going to hospital for an overdose because they could be reported to the police for using drugs.
Abortion is illegal in all cases in Malta except for when a pregnant person’s life is at risk. In this case, three specialists must agree that a woman’s life is in grave danger before an abortion can be carried out.
Earlier this year, Maltese lawyers called for clear guidelines to help doctors determine whether they should report abortions, warning that the lack of policy is leading to subjective interpretation.
As it stands, the Maltese law does not explicitly require medical practitioners to report patients who have had an abortion. However, reporting might still be allowed under the Professional Secrecy Act. This law lets professionals share confidential information to help prevent or prosecute a crime – but even then, their duty to maintain confidentiality still applies.
This can be dangerous because it deters patients who are suffering complications from an abortion from seeking help.
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