In memory Savita Halappanavar. Reform of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861
We demand 21st Century healthcare provision for the women of Ireland, both North and South.
Last month Savita Halappanavar died in the University Hospital, Galway, after being denied a termination of her, sadly, unviable pregnancy. Despite repeated requests for medical assistance and though experiencing great suffering, she was left to die in agony. This wholly unnecessary and tragic death was entirely preventable, but due to the thoughtless and theocratic legal constraints that exist in Ireland, both North and South (Offences Against the Person Act, 1861), nothing was done. As a consequence of this draconian legislation, Savita's care-providers were left unwilling or unable to provide any semblance of adequate medical intervention.
In our pluralist and, supposedly, modern country, such state condoned negligence is no longer acceptable. Savita is but the latest and most publicised victim of this abhorrent situation. Countless other women have had to resort to illegal terminations, with all the horrific consequences that this entails, or flee the country of their birth to receive adequate help and provision. No more.
Immediate reform of this outmoded, inhumane and ill-defined legislation is essential, if we are to regard ourselves as a modern, compassionate country, both North and South.
Links
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5 years agoDavid MacDonald United Kingdom5 years ago -
5 years agoPauline Doherty Ireland5 years ago
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5 years agoP McKeown United Kingdom5 years ago
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5 years agoKieran Hone Ireland5 years ago
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5 years agoGail Laverty Spain5 years ago
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5 years agoDeirdre O'Sullivan United States5 years ago
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5 years agoDr Sam McDowell United Kingdom5 years ago
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5 years agoZae-beth Bateman Ireland5 years ago
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5 years agoDorothy MacDonald United Kingdom5 years ago
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5 years agoPaud Murphy Ireland5 years ago
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5 years agoTeresa O'Mahony New Zealand5 years ago
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5 years agoSean O Farrell Ireland5 years ago
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5 years agoDr Norman Kean Ireland5 years ago
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5 years agoAnne-Marie McMahon Ireland5 years ago
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5 years agoPatrick Semple Ireland5 years ago
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