Hospital Mariadal Bonaire has requested and received a license to perform legal abortions. Edith Schippers, Minister of Health, has responded positively to the request submitted by the hospital in February. Marian is the first institution in the Caribbean Netherlands who will perform abortions.
The permit is subject to a number of conditions. Staff must be trained within four months. Schippers pointed to the social worker, clinical midwives and nurses. Furthermore, the hospital must adhere to the protocols for abortion requests with respect to request for help, surgery and aftercare.
Also, Mariadal should make proper arrangements with GPs who will perform the abortions in the hospital. “The hospital must negotiate an agreement between the GPs and the hospital. Legal abortion is only possible under the license of the hospital,” the minister writes. Within four months Mariadal must deliver an accountability report to the Health Care Inspectorate (IGZ). The Inspectorate will do the inspection on Bonaire.
Schippers reminds Mariadal to apply the statutory period of five days for reconsideration and that they must comply with the mandatory registration. Finally, Minister Schippers reports that agreements have been reached with Bonaire on sex education and use of contraceptives.
Source Caribiana, June 15, 2012 (12)
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