Dutch figures are not understated

I WISH to respond to the letter from Eilís Grealy headlined ‘Dutch abortion figures understated’ (January 21).

This is one of those endlessly ruminated anti-abortion myths. In fact, Dutch abortion figures are not understated, but among the most accurate worldwide.

Every abortion is notified, including the so-called overtime treatments (very early abortions up to 44 days from last menstrual period).

One simple reason for the accuracy of the figures is that doctors only get paid by social insurance for those abortions they notify. You can be sure that Dutch doctors do not like very much to do unpaid work — no more than doctors in other countries.

The Dutch abortion rate per 1,000 women aged 15-44 (which is a more telling measure for the occurrence of abortions than the abortion ratio per 100 births) has remained stable since 2001, after a short period of rising slightly in the 1990s. It was 8.6/1,000 in 2006.

Switzerland has followed the Dutch model and after a very liberal abortion practice for many years, it legalised abortion on request in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy in 2002.

In 2006 — the forth year under the new law — the abortion rate continued to fall and reached an all-time low, with 6/1,000 women, a rate even lower than the Dutch one.

These rates are among the lowest worldwide (note that there are no more illegal abortions in these two countries).

The reasons are good sex education and ready availability of contraception — the morning-after pill, for example, is available over the counter.

Anne-Marie Rey

Abortion-information

Grabenstr. 21

3052 Zollikofen

Bern

Switzerland