The Order of Physicians reaffirmed on Saturday its opposition to the removal of the conscience clause specific to voluntary terminations of pregnancy, in a press release published after the adoption in first reading by the National Assembly of a bill strengthening the right to abortion.
"Neither the disappearance of the conscience clause, nor the extension of the legal deadlines for access to abortion from 12 to 14 weeks, will not make it possible to respond to the difficulties which may, even today, arise for our fellow citizens wishing have recourse to an abortion, ”reaffirms the Order of Physicians in its press release.
Objective: "Equal access to abortion" throughout the territory
The text adopted Thursday proposes, in addition to extending the legal deadlines, to allow midwives to perform surgical abortions up to the 10th week of pregnancy and to remove the conscience clause specific to abortion for doctors, recurring requests from feminist associations to guarantee “equal access to abortion” throughout the country.
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"The State must now make strong commitments, which have not been made by successive governments, to ensure, at all points of the territory, the provision for women of material and professional means of care. quality, ”continues the Order.
"It is these strong commitments and a significant investment in the care strategy that alone will allow unhindered access to abortion," he adds.
The Order of Physicians says “regret” that “the government has not clearly spoken out against this bill”.
He said "to deplore the inaction and the lack of preparation of the executive, whose position has still not been decided while the parliamentary debates were long awaited".
