With child or not

There are proposals to make abortion more available for those who have unplanned pregnancies. But the government needs to study all angles first before considering this move.

CASES of baby dumping are a cause for concern, and they are often due to unplanned pregnancies.

Worldwide, for every 1,000 women aged between 15 and 49, 64 have unintended pregnancies. This is according to global statistics between 2015 and 2019, from a study by the Guttmacher Institute and the Humanitarian Response Plan under the United Nations.

In Malaysia, Sunday Star reported on Aug 9 that an average of nine babies were dumped monthly this year, with calls for more baby hatches to prevent such incidents (online at bit.ly/star_dumped).

But there are some who believe abortion services can be another option. This isn’t an easy matter to deliberate, though.

The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry says it would need to have in-depth consultations with stakeholders first before considering legalising abortion.

“Abortion has various implications. Malaysia’s values and culture are different from other countries that have legalised abortion.

“The ministry needs to engage with more parties, namely non-governmental organisations, religious bodies, legal bodies, academicians, health practitioners and the public before considering this move,” says the ministry through its agency, Institut Sosial Malaysia.

Among countries that have legalised abortion, allowing it to be done upon request, are Canada, China, South Africa and Vietnam. The ministry believes that the emphasis should be on measures

to avoid unplanned pregnancies in the first place.

“The focus is to increase awareness through sexual reproductive health education, parenting, and pre-marriage and counselling for teens and adults.

“This will equip them with the necessary knowledge and will help address baby dumping and unwanted pregnancies,” it adds.

Currently, abortion comes with restrictions in Malaysia. It’s illegal under Section 312 of the Penal Code, punishable with a jail term of up to three years, a fine, or both. If the abortion is done when a woman is “quick with child” or when motion by the foetus is felt, the punishment can be up to seven years’ imprisonment and a fine. A woman who causes herself to miscarry is also subject to punishment.

The law does allow exceptions: Registered medical practitioners can perform abortions if they find that continuing the pregnancy risks the life of the pregnant woman or injures her mental or physical health. For the exception to apply, the risks of continuing the pregnancy must be greater than if the pregnancy is terminated.

“This law is generally applicable to planned and unplanned pregnancies. Hence, abortion options cannot be made available except for what the law permits,” says the ministry.

However, the Reproductive Rights Advocacy Alliance Malaysia (RRAAM) believes that abortion plays a major role in dealing with unplanned pregnancies and hopes that it will become more accessible for those caught in such situations. This is especially for those who face economic and social challenges.

“Such services have saved thousands of women and girls yearly from facing serious psychological and social problems from bearing an unwanted child,” says RRAAM founding member Dr SP Choong.

The group’s hotline has received an increase in calls for advice on safe abortion and contraception during the Covid-19triggered movement control order (MCO) period.

From an average of 300 calls a month, it rose to 350 beginning in

April.

“The spike is possibly linked to the MCO period, as people may have difficulty getting contraceptives,” Dr Choong explains.

“As this can be a stressful time, some may also be less conscientious about using protection.

“Some may have wanted to keep the pregnancy but due to economic reasons, they may have changed their mind.”

The public can reach RRAAM through its WhatsApp hotline at 018-368 7950 or go to rraam.org online.

Many are unaware that technically, all medical doctors, when faced with a request for abortion, can legally assess the mother’s situation, says Dr Choong.

If continuing the unplanned pregnancy is considered detrimental to the patient’s physical or mental health more than if it were terminated, then abortion is perfectly legal up 22 weeks of gestation, he says. However, for cost and safety reasons, most are done within the first 10 weeks of pregnancy, he adds.

Unfortunately, due to stigma and cultural attitudes, abortion is hardly discussed here.

“It is often difficult to access official information and services for those in need,” Dr Choong says.

“An abortion is basically a medical procedure so there shouldn’t be a law on it, just like for any other operation.

“Like driving a car, it’s only illegal if you don’t have a licence.

“Hence, abortions should be legal as long as it’s done by a qualified person,” Dr Choong says.

He says the current law is unsatisfactory because it doesn’t give the woman the right to decide.

“It isn’t fair to force a woman to continue a pregnancy she doesn’t want,” he says.

On the argument that abortion could mean taking a life, Dr Choong says that is a matter of personal opinion.

“One can also argue that an ovum or sperm is a life. Some believe using contraception is bad because it prevents the sperm from meeting a live ovum.

“But contraceptives play a big part in family planning.

“It’s highly subjective,” he says.