A group that says it is made up of doctors have formed a pro-abortion group but have not given their names to the media in a statement they released today.
Doctors for Choice Malta, their statement said, is a group of independent medical professionals that advocates for safe, accessible, comprehensive, evidence-based reproductive healthcare in Malta. This includes safe access to abortion, they said.
Nowhere in the press statement or covering note did the doctors reveal who they are. Neither did they give a telephone number where they could be contacted. All they did was give an email address, anonymous of course, on a gmail account.
In Malta, abortion is a criminal offence and women continue to be denied true autonomy over their bodies. They are deprived of their right to seek safe, high quality healthcare, the doctors said. Women who require abortion services do so because of unique, and often complex, medical, psychological or social reasons, the statement added. Malta’s present legislation results in a violation of human rights and denial of patients’ right to safe health services. This ultimately leads to poorer health outcomes.
Like all reputable international health organisations (which include the World Health Organisation, The Royal Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, The Federation of International Gynaecologists and Obstetricians), "we believe that safe access to abortion is a healthcare issue. Criminalisation of abortion makes it dangerous for women who need this health service", the "doctors" said.
As doctors from a variety of specialties, the existing Maltese legislation on abortion is of concern to us, the "doctors" said. "We have established Doctors for Choice Malta to support women’s right to easily access comprehensive, reproductive health services. They should be able to make a fully informed choice on their pregnancy, including the option to choose safe abortion in a controlled, empathetic environment. Women should have the final decision without any interference," the "doctors" said.