Ireland: Woman dies after abortion request refused because “this is a Catholic country”

Savita Halappanavar

This was the response given to a 31 year old Hindu woman at Galway hospital in Ireland. As authorities investigate, controversies grow

 



The case of Savita Halappanavar, an Irish citizen of Hindu origin, is destined to revive the age-old debate over abortion laws in uber-Catholic Ireland. The 31 year old Hindu woman died after doctors refused her request for the pregnancy to be terminated in the 17^th week. The reason given was that “this is a Catholic country.”

Authorities have opened an inquiry into the death and Enda Kenny told MPs to expect the results of two inquiries into Savita’s death at Galway University Hospital in western Ireland. Abortion is illegal in Ireland, except when it is necessary to save the life of the mother.

Savita’s family said the woman asked doctors several times for her pregnancy to be terminated because she was suffering severe back pain and was miscarrying. Doctors replied that she could not abort because Ireland is a Catholic country and the foetus was still alive, the woman’s husband, Praveen, told The Irish Times.

“The consultant said: 'As long as there is a foetal heartbeat we can't do anything',” Savita’s husband said in a telephone interview from the region of Karnataka, in southern India. “I am neither Irish nor Catholic,' but they said there was nothing they could do,” Savita replied.

Savita died of septicaemia last 28 October, a week after being admitted to hospital. The foetus was removed from her body on 23 October after its little heart stopped beating. Prior to Savita’s death, the hospital issued a statement explaining it had asked for an inquiry into the incident but this has not yet begun as doctors are waiting to speak with the Halappanavar family, currently in India for the funeral. The Indian couple lived in Galway, where the 34 year old husband works as an engineer.

Irish Prime Minister, Enda Kenny, stated that the Minister of Health has asked for a report on the circumstances surrounding Savita’s death. Meanwhile, the hospital and the Irish Department of Health have launched investigations into the occurrence. Savita’s death came just a few weeks after the opening of the first private pro-abortion clinic in Northern Ireland.