The Polish government is taking steps to ease access to abortion for women in need of ending a pregnancy for health reasons. The guidelines issued by the Health Ministry reaffirm the legality of such procedures, based on medical recommendations. Under the current law, abortions for health reasons are permitted, but the previous conservative government had limited some qualifying circumstances. This led to mass protests and increased reluctance among doctors to perform abortions. Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government had previously promised to liberalize the law to allow abortion up to the 12th week of pregnancy, but the proposal did not gather enough support in parliament.
To address the issue of limited access to abortion, the government is now looking at alternative ways to increase access for women in need. The guidelines emphasize that a recommendation by one specialist doctor, such as a cardiologist, endocrinologist, or psychiatrist, is enough for a woman to obtain a legal abortion in a hospital. The doctor performing the procedure should not be liable for prosecution. Health Minister Izabela Leszczyna highlighted that currently, many doctors and hospitals do not comply with the regulations allowing for early abortion based on one doctor’s opinion. This often leads to delays in the approval process, potentially endangering the woman’s health.
Currently, abortion is only allowed in Poland if the pregnancy results from a crime such as rape or incest, or if the woman’s health or life is at risk. In all other cases, doctors or those assisting in procuring an abortion can face up to three years in prison. The woman seeking an abortion will not be prosecuted. In 2020, a court controlled by the previous right-wing government abolished a provision allowing for the termination of pregnancy due to severe, irreparable defects of the fetus. This decision sparked nationwide protests in Poland, highlighting the ongoing debate around abortion laws in the country.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed the government’s commitment to ensuring that women in early pregnancy have access to legal abortion, despite facing challenges in parliament. Tusk stated that if they cannot achieve sweeping changes through legislation, they will continue to find ways to open small gates to ensure access to abortion for those in need. The new guidelines issued by the Health Ministry seek to clarify the process for obtaining a legal abortion based on medical recommendations, aiming to provide clearer guidance for doctors and increase access for women seeking abortions for health reasons.
The issue of abortion access in Poland has been a contentious and divisive topic, prompting mass protests and legislative debates. The government’s decision to issue new guidelines to address the limited access to abortion for women needing to end a pregnancy for health reasons reflects an ongoing effort to navigate the legal and ethical complexities surrounding reproductive rights. As Poland continues to grapple with this issue, ensuring that women have safe and legal access to abortion remains a crucial focal point for policymakers and healthcare providers. The implementation of these new guidelines marks a step towards enhancing access to reproductive healthcare services for women in need in Poland.
