Changes to the ‘pregnancy register’.
The Ministry of Health has published a draft amendment to the regulation on the Medical Information System, commonly known as the ‘pregnancy register’. From 2022 Doctors are obliged to include information about a patient’s pregnancy in it.
According to the draft regulation, currently, the entry of the information regarding pregnancy in the Medical Information System will take place at the request of the Patient. FEDERA views this change positively, which we have also expressed during the public consultation on the regulation.
Guidelines of the Attorney General
The Attorney General signed the guidelines resulting from the work of a special team established in April in the National Public Prosecutor’s Office. They concern the conduct of proceedings for abortion offences.
In the guidelines, the Attorney General suggests that the well-being of women should be the primary consideration when conducting proceedings. Guidelines also suggest to note in the record of the interrogation that the woman has been informed that she is not criminally responsible for her abortion. Unfortunately, the final form of the guidelines is disappointing and does not resemble the shape of the document that emerged from the media announcements.
In response to the release of the guidelines, FEDERA has prepared its guidelines for prosecutors. They are available here:
Guidelines from the Minister of Health
The Minister of Health Izabela Leszczyna has issued guidelines for hospitals on the abortion law currently in force. The prepared document partly duplicates the Operational Guidelines for Hospitals developed by FEDERA in February 2024 and subsequently submitted to the Ministry of Health.
The Guidelines, although not changing the legal state of affairs, are the first significant document interpreting the current legislation, issued from the government level.
CEDAW Committee Report
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, following information from the FEDERA Foundation, investigated the systematic violation of women’s rights due to Polish abortion laws in 2022. In its report, the Committee recommended the legalisation and decriminalisation of abortion. Otherwise, Poland will continue to violate international obligations by maintaining a legal system incompatible with standards. CEDAW’s position is a huge success for FEDERA – never in history has an international body taken such a concrete, progressive position.
Letter to hospitals
In August, FEDERA sent out a letter to hospitals reminding them that the rejection of the bill to decriminalise abortion does not change the existing law. The pretext for preparing the mailing action was the information we had received from patients reporting to us who had been refused abortions by hospitals, citing the results of the vote.
Opening of the FEDERA VHealth Centre
FEDERA has publicly announced its success. As early as September, the first Health Centre in Poland will open – an inclusive facility equipped with state-of-the-art equipment where women and persons will receive the best medical care, including abortion and post-abortion care, without fear for their dignity and safety.