Ireland ‘performing well’ in sexual and reproductive health, according to global survey

News of good performance in sexual and reproductive health coincides with Savita tragedy

Savita and her husband Praveen were reportedly told by doctors at the hospital that they could not terminate as the foetus still had a heartbeat, and that Ireland “is a Catholic country.”

Savita suffered for two days in agonizing pain of miscarriage before the foetus eventually died. The first time mother was then brought into the ICU, where she died of septic shock.

When asked if he thought his wife would still be alive if the pregnancy had been terminated when he and his wife first asked for it, Savita’s husband said “Yes of course.”

The tragedy has many calling for the re-examination of Irish law regarding abortion. Rallies gathered outside the Dail in Dublin, as well as outside the Irish embassy in London after Savita’s death. 

However, Dr. Ruth Cullen of the Pro-Life Campaign in Ireland said that using Savita’s rare example as a means to gain legislation reform is “deplorable.”

On Thursday, it was announced that a review will be conducted into Savita’s death. The HSE said “To further strengthen this review the HSE is in the process of appointing an independent, external expert in obstetrics and gynaecology to the incident management team.” 

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Nster.com