Increase in Doctors refusing to be involved in Abortions

30 December 2011

Media Release

Increase in Doctors refusing to be involved in Abortions

Right to Life is pleased that an increasing number of doctors in New Zealand recognise that abortion is not healthcare and are refusing to be involved in the killing of unborn children. The Abortion Supervisory Committee in its report to Parliament for 2011 advise that the number of certifying consultants for the year ending the 30 June 2010 number 175, a reduction of 21 consultants on the 196 registered in 2009. This is good news for women and their unborn children.

The Committee reports that the total number of appointed certifying consultants continues to fall each year with fewer applications for new consultants being received and many consultants choosing not to apply to have their appointments renewed. The Committee notes that the “workforce” appears to be aging with fewer specialists being available.

The approval of two certifying consultants is required to authorise the killing of an unborn child. A consultant receives a fee of $135 for a 10 to 15 minute face to face consultation with a woman seeking an abortion. The Committee reports that fees to consultants totalled $4,551,929 [GST exclusive] for the year ending 30 June 2011. The highest paid consultant received $138,915 for approving 1028 abortions, while declining only one. The second highest paid consultant received $135,270 for approving 1000 abortions and declining just two.

There are more than 11,000 doctors registered in New Zealand, 3,500 being general practitioners. Right to Life applauds those doctors who are faithful to their medical ethics by upholding the right to life of their unborn patients and protecting the health and welfare of mothers facing an unplanned pregnancy.

Abortions kill innocent and helpless unborn children, they also damage women’s physical and mental health and may cause the mother a lifetime of grief and sorrow. Doctors who authorise and perform abortions may genuinely believe that they are acting in the best interest of women. It is however always wrong to kill the innocent. The unborn are also patients. Abortion violates the human rights of unborn children who are the weakest and most defenceless members of the human family. Right to Life urges these doctors to promote a culture of life by respecting the right to life of the unborn and to refuse to authorise or execute their killing. Right to Life calls upon them to promote open adoption as the loving option.

Ken Orr
Spokesperson,
Right to Life New Zealand Inc.

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