Backstreet abortions put immigrants
at risk
BACKSTREET abortions are posing a growing danger to immigrant women in
Ireland who are afraid to travel to Britain because of visa restrictions.
The Women’s Health Council (WHC) has written to the Irish Health
Service Executive (HSE) expressing their concerns that the health needs
of immigrant women are not being met.
The organisation said a policy which recognises the increased diversity
of users and employers of the healthcare system is needed as a matter
of urgency.
It expressed particular concern over maternity services for ethnic minorities.
“Anecdotal evidence points to migrant women accessing unsafe ‘backstreet’
abortions due to the legislative ban on abortions in Ireland and the fact
that, because of their precarious residence status, many women are afraid
to travel,” it read.
“Many ethnic minority women find themselves in situations of isolation,
poverty and exploitation. Many women might have been infected with STIs,
including HIV, through sexual violence or may even be pregnant through
rape.
“These issues pose particular challenges when delivering care, including
maternity care.”
The Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA) has backed this claim, saying
that gardaí have found evidence of a return to illegal abortions,
which have not been reported in Ireland since the 1950s.
The WHC criticised racist attitudes in maternity hospitals. A spokesperson
for the council said: “Women encounter racist attitudes amongst
health professionals including being used as scapegoats for the strained
resources of the maternity services.”
The report said female genital mutilation is a growing problem and can
no longer be ignored.
The HSE is drawing up a National Intercultural Healthcare Strategy to
address the healthcare needs of ethnic minorities.
The WHC said: “While it is unrealistic to expect or require that
all healthcare professionals would become familiar with all the religions
and cultural practices currently present in Ireland it is fair to expect
them to be understanding of diversity and respectful and sensitive in
their approach.”
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