11 Pro-choice coalitions have condemned the spread of “wholly inaccurate statements” during the ongoing nationwide debate on abortion.

“The public deserve clear facts, not misleading information. All sides of the debate have a duty to present clear and unbiased facts, and it is worrying if some feel the need to mislead others,” the organisations said. 

The groups in question are Voice for Choice, Young Progressive Beings, Women’s Rights Foundation, Moviment Graffitti, Doctors for Choice, Lawyers for Choice, Integra, Aditus, Men Against Violence, Parents for Choice and Malta Humanists Association.

This comes in response to a recent court hearing in which the consultant head of obstetrics and gynaecology at Mater Dei, Yves Muscat Baron said that following scientific developments, there is now a 79.2% survival rate of the unborn baby when the mother’s waters rupture before 20 weeks.

This statement was further investigated by Times of Malta who revealed that this claim was “mostly false”.

Prior to this, Doctors for Choice alleged that this claim is based on a 2022 study that shows a different outcome.

While Times of Malta couldn’t certainly verify whether it was based on solely one study, they stated that it appeared that the existence of a different study supporting his statement was unlikely.

Meanwhile, this statement was referenced to push forth the pro-life narrative in a press release issued by Doctors for Life which said cases like Andrea Prudente’s had a “nearly 80% chance of survival in such circumstances”.

It was further used in opinion pieces published by Times of Malta.

Moreover, the newsroom found that this is the only study to suggest a 79.2% survival which isn’t applicable to pregnancies of 15 weeks, which is when Andrea Prudente started miscarrying.

The study also concluded that there were no survivors of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) at 17 to 19 weeks of pregnancy.

“We reiterate that it is crucial that this debate consists of objective, scientifically accurate and fact-checked information,” the groups urged.

“We remind the public that Bill 28 is an essential amendment to safeguard women, girls and persons who could get pregnant; even though it only allows abortions in the narrow event when there are pregnancy complications that put the person’s health in “grave jeopardy” and if the foetus is not of a gestational age where it can survive outside the womb.”

They concluded by “demanding” that Prime Minister Robert Abela “keep the spirit of the amendment alive” by protecting women, girls and people in grave danger without any delays. They also called for Abela to be transparent with the proposed amendments and provide them as soon as possible.

Do you think that there’s been a harmful spread of misinformation regarding abortion in Malta?