Media using Savita tragedy to campaign for abortion

I am writing this letter in relation to the sad death of Savita Halappanavar and the use of her story by the media as a vehicle to campaign for abortion in Ireland.

While the actions of the hospital, and whether they did not give appropriate treatment to Mrs Halappanavar have yet to be determined by an investigation, what we already know is that she did not die because abortion is illegal in Ireland. All the treatments necessary for pregnant women are available in Ireland. In a situation where the mother’s life is in danger due to a medical condition, the appropriate treatment necessary to save her life is given. The child may unintentionally, and unavoidably die in some rare cases, in such circumstances. However, this is medical treatment and clearly not an abortion as the aim is in no way to harm the child. This treatment is neither immoral or illegal as has been suggested by some pro-abortion campaigners. We do not know if the best possible treatment was given to Mrs Halappanavar or if there was negligence. Either way it had nothing to do with abortion.

The media are at fault for creating a campaign based on a lie — that abortion is a medical treatment. Many of the people who have been out on the streets were there due to the media manipulating people’s emotions. A recent International Symposium on Maternal Healthcare in Dublin confirmed that Ireland has all the treatments required for pregnant women — and that abortion was not a medical treatment. The problem in this sad case seems to have arisen due to treatment not being given by the hospital, or perhaps, it was just not possible to save her life in all the circumstances. Medicine does not always save people. People die in hospitals everyday, but most are not due to negligence.