The Polish government has announced new guidelines aimed at easing access to legal abortion, which has already sparked considerable controversy.
Previously, abortions in Poland were only possible in cases where pregnancy was the result of rape or incest, or when there was a serious threat to the mother’s health.
Under the new rules, a recommendation from one specialist, including a cardiologist, endocrinologist or psychiatrist, is sufficient grounds for a woman to have a legal abortion in a hospital, and the doctor performing the procedure should not be held liable.
On October 22, 2020, the Constitutional Court of Poland ruled that termination of pregnancy due to fetal defects is illegal. 98% of abortions in Poland were performed for this reason. According to the ruling, abortions are only permitted in cases of rape and incest, as well as if the life or health of the mother is at risk.
Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who took office at the end of 2023, said he intended to liberalize the abortion law and allow termination of pregnancy up to the 12th week of pregnancy, but this proposal did not receive the necessary support in parliament. Therefore, Tusk’s government had to look for other ways to solve the problem.
We will not remain inactive in ensuring access to abortion for women in early pregnancy who, for various reasons, may believe that they should have access to abortion legally, Tusk said on Friday.
Polish Health Minister Izabella Liszczyna said that because of the risk of prosecution, most doctors and hospitals now do not comply with rules allowing early abortions to be performed based on a single doctor’s opinion.
Facilities that refuse to perform an abortion on a woman with a medical referral could be fined up to 500,000 zlotys ($129,000) or lose their contract with the National Health Fund.
Source: Racurs
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