Medical abortion becomes legal in Lithuania as of January. Women wishing to terminate pregnancy medically will be able to do so until the ninth week of pregnancy.
Those opting for medical abortion will first need to consult with an obstetrician-gynaecologist.
“First, the doctor must provide all the information related to the procedure. If the patient decides to terminate the pregnancy medically, the doctor prescribes a prescription medicine,” Inga Cechanoviciene, a spokesperson for the Health Ministry, said.
Medications for medical abortion have already been registered in Lithuania and will be available in pharmacies with a doctor’s prescription. According to the Health Ministry, these medicines are included in the list of essential medications by the World Health Organisation.
“This method is simpler and safer compared to surgical abortion, as there is no need for surgical intervention and anaesthesia, and there is a lower risk of complications,” said obstetrician-gynaecologist Vytautas Klimas.
According to the doctors, women in Lithuania have long been enquiring about the possibility of a medical abortion because they knew it was available in many European countries.
“Women may have been obtaining these drugs illegally, but it was dangerous. Now, if it’s a legal method, it’s also safe,” said gynaecologist Esmeralda Kuliesyte.
However, Virgilijus Rudzinskas, a board member of the World Federation of Doctors who Respect Human Life, criticises the legalisation of medical abortion.
“The woman will be face-to-face with the obstetrician-gynaecologist. But a bigger team is needed to help her and save a human life. There is no provision for a specialist consultation,” he said.
The Health Ministry notes that doctors will have to inform women not only about the procedure but also about the available help of a social worker or psychologist.
Those opposed to medical abortion say that ensuring freedom of conscience for doctors is also a cause for concern. Until now, the Law on Medical Practice has allowed doctors to opt out of performing surgical abortions.
“My colleagues raise the question of whether we will be able to continue to follow that provision so that we are not forced to do things that are not in line with our conscience,” Rudzinskas said.
Cechanoviciene of the Health Ministry stressed that according to the law, “a doctor has the right not to provide a certain service if the provision of the service contradicts the doctor’s moral principles”. However, if a doctor prescribes a medicine, the pharmacist must sell it.
According to the Institute of Hygiene, more than 2,700 abortions were performed in Lithuania in 2021. (LRT/Business World Magazine)
