Despite the fact that the government of Nicaragua has repeatedly clarified that the country's prohibition of abortion does not ban lifesaving medical procedures that could indirectly and unintentionally cause an abortion Amnesty International has claimed that such treatment is being withheld in the case of a 27 year old woman Amalia (not her real name) who is reportedly 10-weeks pregnant and was diagnosed on February 2 with cancer. Latin American Herald Tribune report
According to Amnesty International the Nicaraguan authorities are impeding doctors from providing cancer treatment to her while she is pregnant because medical staff could face prosecution if they cause harm to the fetus during her treatment, even if the harm is caused unintentionally.
Since the Nicaraguan prohibition of abortion does not ban lifesaving medical procedures that could either indirectly or unintentionally cause an abortion, chemotherapy and other lifesaving treatments would not be denied to "Amalia" under the nation's laws. Nevertheless, Amnesty and a chorus of other international pro-abortion groups are seeking to use the case in their campaign to overturn the country's pro-life legislation.
The president of the Nicaraguan Medical Association, Dr. Ivette Pilarte, has issued a firm rebuttal to those who claim that an abortion is "medically necessary" in the "Amelia" case.
Pillarte in an official communication on Saturday wrote;
"The Nicaraguan Medical Association, faced with the media situation with has occurred in the 'Amelia' case, finds no justification to submit her to a directly provoked abortion," [...]
"Abortion is not going to cure her of her cancer nor of the metastasis, for which it is necessary to give her adequate therapy, curative or palliative,".
In response to the complaints by the pro-abortion agencies, Nicaraguan Health Minister Guillermo Gonzalez has established a special medical commission to conduct a review of the case. A decision is expected shortly.
According to the Spanish press agency EFE, Gonzalez has noted that "sadly, it seems that there are political interests behind this," apparently referring to the machinations of the pro-abortion organizations, which are constantly agitating against the government's prohibition of abortion.
See also LifeSitenews.com
