Under most unfortunate circumstances, Savitha Halappanavar, 31-year old dentist, lost her life in Ireland, a country known for strong family values. It was an untimely and perhaps a preventable death because of strict adherence to law prohibiting abortion and the consequent refusal by the medical practitioners to terminate her 16-week pregnancy leading to miscarriage and blood-poisoning. There was massive outrage in the Indian media, particularly in the electronic media competing with each other with breaking news, exclusive interviews and panel discussions with high profile analysts criticizing the Irish doctors for the alleged medical negligence.
It is an irony that such an outcry was made by the Indian media when India itself has a very high maternal death rate due to unsafe abortions. In India, a pregnant woman dies of abortion every two hours; 65 percent of all maternal deaths in the world resulting from unsafe abortions are in 11 countries including India. In India, an estimated 57,500 maternal deaths take place every year. These human lives are as precious as Savitha's life. Aren't they? Ireland is a country with a low maternal mortality rate. Before sermonizing to its health care personnel, a serious introspection needs to be made by the Indian media and the critics.
It is an irony that such an outcry was made by the Indian media when India itself has a very high maternal death rate due to unsafe abortions. In India, a pregnant woman dies of abortion every two hours; 65 percent of all maternal deaths in the world resulting from unsafe abortions are in 11 countries including India. In India, an estimated 57,500 maternal deaths take place every year. These human lives are as precious as Savitha's life. Aren't they? Ireland is a country with a low maternal mortality rate. Before sermonizing to its health care personnel, a serious introspection needs to be made by the Indian media and the critics.
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