MARIE Stopes International has insisted that it is working within the Zambian legal framework after the country’s health minister said it had performed almost 500 illegal abortions there this year.
The events have come to light in the wake of Marie Stopes opening a clinic in Belfast.
In July, the Times of Zambia newspaper reported that the African country’s government had issued “an indefinite ban” on Marie Stopes-Zambia from carrying out abortions there.
Health Minister Joseph Kasonde said in Lusaka that Marie Stopes-Zambia – a non-governmental organisation (NGO) – breached medical procedure in conducting 490 abortions in Northern and Muchinga provinces.
The minister said Marie Stopes breached the Abortions Act of 1972, which stipulates that three medical doctors should authorise an abortion.
The Times of Zambia carried reports that the NGO performed 430 abortions in Nakonde, 30 in Kasama and another 30 in Mpika with the authority of only one doctor, Mike Chisha.
The terminations took place between January and May 2012.
Health Minister Dr Kasonde told the newspaper: “Unfortunately, it has been confirmed that some of the abortions had been performed on the authority of one medical doctor, contrary to the requirement of three medical doctors as provided for in the Abortions Act of 1972.
“The management has been ordered to suspend abortion services immediately. However, the rest of the services may continue and the organisation may continue to operate in the country.”
A spokesman for the Zambian Embassy in London has told the News Letter that the media report was accurate.
“I wish to confirm the position of the Health Minister is correct that in line with the law (the Abortions Act of 1972), an abortion can only be carried out on the authority of three medical doctors as of requirement,” he said.
“Since the abortions were performed without adherence to the legal requirement (as stated in the Act), government has in the meantime suspended abortion services.”
He added that the government of Zambia “continues to enjoy a warm working relationship with Marie Stopes” and that Marie Stopes continues to provide services there aside from abortion.
A London-based spokeswoman for Marie Stopes International confirmed that the NGO had stopped performing abortions in Zambia.
“Earlier this year we put our termination of pregnancy services on hold while we wait for further guidance from the government,” she said.
Liam Gibson, of pro-life group, the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) in Northern Ireland, said: “Marie Stopes International has insisted it will operate within the legal framework in Northern Ireland. However, the Zambian government’s accusations against the NGO should, I believe, be given careful consideration by those examining the organisations’ legal status within Northern Ireland.”
Alliance Party MLA Anna Lo, who takes a pro-choice position, commented: “What has happened in Zambia is a case for the Zambian authorities to deal with as to whether Marie Stopes broke the particular rules and laws in that country. However, just like an international company that works in different countries, if it has to stop some of its operations in one country it will not affect its operations in another country.”
See full story in Wednesday’s News Letter