Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1211430
13 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 16 FEBRUARY 2020 OPINION Gilbert Gravino & Liza Caruana-Finkel We may, once again, need to look at Singapore, not so much to examine how a poor small island state emerged from being aban- doned as a British naval base that was 'surplus to requirements' in- to an economically vibrant Asian Tiger; but to appraise what a de- mocracy looks like when a coun- try has a single and dominant po- litical party. The days of the 'PL-PN' duopo- ly may be history. Godfrey Baldacchino is Profes- sor of Sociology at the University of Malta. The opinions expressed in this article are his personal views 'ABORTION and methods of reproductive planning: the views of Malta's medical doctor cohort', a study which surveyed 454 doctors, has recently been published in Sexual and Repro- ductive Health Matters Journal. All contacts that were accessible with permission from the Malta medical council (1,578 out of a total of 2,468 reg- istered doctors) were invited for the survey. According to the surveyed respondents, the majority of doctors in Malta do not agree with a total ban on abortion. Doctors were questioned about their views on legalisation of abortion in different circumstances and gestational ages. A clear majority were in fa- vour of legalisation, for at least up to 12 weeks gestation, in case of 'woman's life in danger' (66.8%) and 'non-viable fetal anomaly' (63.0%). These two circumstances also gained a narrow ma- jority in favour of abortion being legal at all stages in the pregnancy, at 54.2% and 50.2% respectively. The other circumstanc- es did not have a majority in favour of legalisation, but still gathered variable degrees of support. On- ly a narrow majority was against the legalisation of abortion to preserve phys- ical health and in case of rape or incest, at 50.4% and 51.8% respective- ly. Abortion to preserve mental health, in case of viable fetal anomaly, in underage pregnancy, and for economic or social circumstances gathered greater opposition. Contrary to the long- held general perception that most doctors in Malta support the current leg- islation, this study provides evidence that this is not the case. In fact, there were doctors within each of the most relevant specialities (obstetrics and gynaecology, general practice, psychiatry, paediatrics, and public health) who agreed with its legalisation, at least in certain circumstanc- es. Unfortunately, there was still a considerable percentage of doctors who opposed legalisa- tion of abortion, even in critical situations such as when a woman's life is in danger (for which 21.8% were against legalisation at all stages). Results also show that older and/or religious doctors were in greater disagreement with the legalisation of abortion and with all the other methods of reproductive planning questioned, when compared with younger and/or non-reli- gious doctors. The fact that young generations are more supportive of reproductive health- care, as proposed by leading health organisa- tions, and that Malta is becoming more secular, favours a future where many more will sup- port access to abortion. Since this survey was carried out before Doc- tors for Choice, Voice for Choice, and Abor- tion Support Network launched in Malta, the results should serve as a baseline for future stud- ies to assess whether so- cio-political changes and organised campaigns are creating a shift in the views of Malta's medical doctors. Matters of human rights and essential healthcare should not be decided by any majority. A pregnant person must have access to safe abor- tion irrespective of the views of different popula- tion groups. However, the views of medical doctors on this issue remain important since the complete ban on abortion impacts the relationship, advice, and care that patients receive from their doc- tors. Recent developments and our findings sug- gest that Malta will become more accepting of abortion as part of comprehensive reproductive healthcare, although not without resistance. It will take time to deconstruct the false sense of security created by centuries of political, reli- gious, and cultural indoctrination against abor- tion, and simultaneously build a foundation of understanding on this procedure truly based in healthcare, empathy, and respect for one anoth- er's choices. Malta's medical doctors: No to total ban on abortion Dr Gilbert Gravino MD is a public health activist Liza Caruana-Finkel is a reproductive rights researcher and activist Muscat's exit strategy has paid off handsomely: he did not breathe new life into the PN. Instead, it seems Muscat drew the poison out, taking it with him into the political sunset Life in danger Non-viable anomaly Rape/incest Preserve physical health Preserve mental health Viable anomaly Under 16 years Economic/social circumstances Any circumstance 0 20 40 60 80 100 54.2% 21.8% 50.2% 25.8% 17.2% 13% 51.8% 17.2% 19.6% 50.4% 17% 56.2% 67.4% 68.7% 74% 78% All stages Up to 24w Up to 12w Not sure No The views of Malta's medical doctors on le- galising abortion in different circumstances Contrary to the long-held general perception that most doctors in Malta support the current legislation, this study provides evidence that this is not the case