A National Health Fund doctor who refused to perform a legal abortion is being disciplined

Correo del Sur

El Deber

Caution: Machine assisted translation of “Procesan a médico de la CNS que se negó a practicar un aborto legal.” Correo del Sur, 20 Marzo, 2019.

The National Health Fund (CNS) of Sucre decided to suspend the doctor J.N.M., interim chief of the Gynecology and Obstetrics Service of the Obrero Hospital “Dr. Jaime Mendoza “, and to initiate an administrative process for refusing to perform the legal termination of the pregnancy of citizen P.A.A.

The information was communicated to the defense delegation of Chuquisaca, by the regional administrator of the insurer in the capital of the country, Javier Mercado, who indicated that a similar process will also be started against the former director of that hospital, J.M.C.

The Ombudsman issued a ruling concerning the violation of the rights of citizen PAA, who was denied access to the procedure for the legal termination of pregnancy because there was congenital malformation in the fetus (anencephaly), according to medical diagnosis, rights supported in a constitutional decision and legal regulations.

In Bolivia, Constitutional Decision No. 206/2014 and Ministerial Resolution No. 027/2015 regulate the provision in health services of the legal and safe termination of pregnancy when it endangers the health or life of women, if there are lethal congenital malformations, or if it is the product of rape or rape and incest.

Menacho explained last Saturday, that he would wait for the official reports to decide what actions to take with respect to the doctor involved, since the professional had claimed an “objection of conscience” not to perform the abortion.

“The professionals of the institution took refuge in the ‘conscientious objection’, that is to say, that nobody can be forced to interrupt the life of a human being,” he explained in a press conference, explaining that the patient left the hospital to go to another one in which the abortion was performed.

National Health Fund clarifies circumstances in abortion case

Woman had requested termination of pregnancy for malformation

Correo del Sur

Caution: Machine assisted translation of ” CNS aclara actuación en caso de aborto: La Mujer Había Pedido Interrumpir el Embarazo por Malformación.” Correo del Sur, 16 Marzo, 2019.

The regional administrator of the National Health Fund (CNS) Chuquisaca, Javier Menacho, disclaimed responsibilities on the alleged violation of the rights of a pregnant woman who requested the legal and safe termination of her pregnancy due to congenital malformation of the fetus. He clarified that the family requested, by their own decision, the discharge of the patient and then went to another hospital where they fulfilled the desire of the mother.

At a press conference, Menacho explained that in mid-February of last year they treated a patient with a five-month pregnancy. She had been transferred from Villa Tunari, Cochabamba.

He said that after doing the corresponding studies they determined that the fetus had a congenital malformation; then, the woman’s family asked for the termination of the pregnancy.

The doctors met in a medical meeting and, following the protocols, gave three options: the first, continue with the pregnancy; the second, to guide the family on the malformation of the fetus; and the third, obtain a legal approval that allows interrupting the pregnancy.

“However, the professionals of the institution claimed ‘conscientious objection’, that is, that no one can be forced to interrupt the life of a human being,” Menacho explained.

He said that days later, the family requested the discharge of the patient and saw it convenient to go to another hospital, where they did proceed with the termination of the pregnancy.

“We are waiting for our legal report, what steps have to be followed, with what charges we are to proceed. I cannot begin a process immediately without having a adequate evidence because I cannot judge anyone without having something concrete, “Menacho said.

Hospital denies legal abortion care

The Ombudsman’s Office calls for punitive action

Correo del Sur

Caution: machine assisted translation of “Hospital niega atención de aborto legal.” Correo del Sur, 15 Marzo 2019.

The Ombudsman’s Office asked the authorities of the Jaime Mendoza Hospital, the National Health Fund and the Ministry of Health to take civil, criminal and / or administrative action against those responsible for violating the rights of a pregnant woman who requested legal interruption of her pregnancy due to congenital malformation of the fetus, a right that was denied.

The case was made public yesterday by the Ombudsman, Nadia Cruz, who said that the decision of the citizen is supported by the Plurinational Constitutional Judgment No. 206/2014, but despite this, the hospital refused to perform the termination of pregnancy, so the woman had to resort to another center.

She explained that the rule permits legal interruption when “pregnancy endangers the health or life of women, there is the existence of lethal congenital malformations, or is the product of rape, rape and incest.” She asked for respect for the law and the human rights of women.

Obstetrics and anaesthesia job pre-conditions dismay bishops

Requirement to carry out elective abortions part of National Maternity Hospital job spec

The Irish Times

Patsy McGarry

The Catholic bishops have expressed regret at pre-conditions for applicants in recent advertisements for medical posts at the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin.

One of the main preconditions for applicants for the posts in obstetrics and anaesthesia was a requirement to carry out elective abortions if appointed. . . [T]he bishops said “this precondition runs totally counter to a doctor’s constitutional and human right to freedom of conscience. . .” [Full text]

State hospitals must provide abortion if Catholic clinics will not – report

Patient’s life must take precedence over ethos in emergencies, says report

The Irish Times

Paul Cullen

State-owned hospitals should provide abortions in situations where neighbouring Catholic institutions are unwilling to do so, a new report suggests. . . the report says it is clear there will be situations where abortions have to be carried out in acute hospitals, rather than maternity units. There are seven Catholic voluntary hospitals in Dublin, Cork and Limerick . . . [Full text]