At least 670 doctors have come together to form Doctors For Life (DFL), Malta’s first official pro-life group of doctors.

The doctors announced their formation today, saying they had taken the Hippocratic Oath to protect all life, and have identified three major issues that they will be focused on: the discrimination between different lives, defending both the mother and child, and the belief that every human life is precious.

“Doctors for Life has formulated a declaration to articulate its position in favour of the preborn,” the group said in a statement today. “This declaration has been endorsed by 670 doctors so far, the majority of whom wanted to take a public stand to express their conviction by making their identities known.”

“DFL seeks to inform opinion regarding the scientific facts related to preborn children, to ensure that their dignity and rights are respected. Every human life should be given the opportunity to develop. Nevertheless, the group acknowledges that certain uncommon situations may require medical interventions to save the mother’s life, which may result in the undesired loss of the child,” they continued.

“Doctors for Life publicly declares its strong stand in favour of life and against abortion”

DFL said that members of the group had come together and been united through its conviction that every human life is precious.

“We reject the arbitrary notion that some humans are more valuable than others. In so doing, Doctors for Life rejects all forms of discrimination against the preborn, whether on the basis of gender, gestational age or disability,” they said.

“Doctors know all to well the frustration and sadness of losing patients despite their best efforts,” they continued. “These experiences bring into greater focus the fragility and value of life. Doctors expend considerable resources and effort to care for every human life, convinced that it is worth it,” DFL said, adding that it was publicly declaring a strong stand in favour of life and against abortion.”

Their formation comes after multiple pro-abortion groups were set up on the island and the emergence of some pro-abortion political candidates over the last few months. Abortion is illegal in Malta, unlike most other EU member states, and is set to remain a heated topic of discussion as both camps prepare to fight over the possibility of the legalisation of abortion in Malta.

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Johnathan Cilia

Johnathan is an award-winning Maltese journalist interested in social justice, politics, minority issues, music and food. Follow him at @supreofficialmt on Instagram, and send him news, food and music stories at [email protected]