A recent tragedy in Poland has ignited a heated discussion about the nation's stringent abortion laws. Dorota Lalik, 33, passed away on May 24th due to sepsis while five months pregnant. This incident occurred at the John Paul II hospital in Nowy Targ, located in southern Poland. According to reports, Lalik arrived at the hospital after her water broke and was advised to lie with her legs elevated. Tragically, she succumbed to sepsis three days later.
Bartlomiej Chmielowiec, the patient rights ombudsman, declared that the hospital had infringed upon Lalik's rights. Jolanta Budzowska, the lawyer representing Lalik's family, stated that Lalik was not informed about the slim chances of her pregnancy continuing and the life-threatening risks involved in not terminating it. Budzowska believes this constitutes medical malpractice.
This case follows a 2020 ruling by Poland's constitutional court that further restricted the country's already tight abortion laws. The ruling eliminated the option for women to terminate pregnancies in cases of severe fetal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome. While abortion remains legal when the mother's life or health is at risk, women's rights advocates argue that doctors often prioritize the fetus, potentially endangering the mother's well-being due to ideological beliefs or fear of legal repercussions. Health Minister Adam Niedzielski affirmed that every woman whose life or health is at risk due to pregnancy has the right to an abortion in Poland. He also announced the formation of a team, including women, to review the country's guidelines on pregnancy termination.
This tragic event has sparked protests throughout Poland, with another demonstration planned in Warsaw. Conservative anti-abortion groups, however, contend that women's rights advocates are exploiting such cases for political purposes. This case highlights the ongoing tension between protecting the unborn and safeguarding the health and autonomy of pregnant women in Poland.
