Chile abortion arrest: sick woman is reported to police after going to hospital
Chile abortion arrest: sick woman is reported to police after going to hospital
Country’s total ban on abortion back in spotlight after doctor reported patient, 25, to police on suspicion of using drug to terminate pregnancy
Jonathan Franklin in Santiago
Tuesday 24 March 2015 23.42 EDT
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A woman holds up a pro-choice banner in Santiago, Chile, as the government considers a bill to ease the country’s
complete ban on abortion. Photograph: Ivan Alvarado/Reuters
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A 25-year-old hospital patient has been arrested in Chile after a surgeon suspected the woman had deliberately induced an abortion.
The patient had entered the Carlos Cisterna public hospital on Sunday complaining of severe abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. She was taken to surgery but when a doctor suspected the involvement of a prescription drug known as Misotrol – widely used for abortions in Latin America – he notified Chilean police.
Chile is one of only six countries in the world where abortion is illegal under any circumstances – even rape. The current government has pledged to change this.
The woman remained in medical care and under arrest on Tuesday, according to Patricio Toro, director of the hospital in the northern city of Calama. She was not being named.
More:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/25/chile-abortion-arrest-sick-woman-held-after-going-to-hospital-for-help
