Viewing the abortion issue through public health lenses

BY ALVONA LOH ZI HUI
Published July 15, 2022

Fragmented views to abortion globally have caused its legal status to vary widely across countries. 

As the United States Supreme Court recently struck down the landmark Roe v Wade 1973 ruling, it is fitting to revisit the case for safe, accessible and legal abortions from the public health point of view.

Continued: https://www.todayonline.com/commentary/viewing-abortion-issue-through-public-health-lenses-1944941


Singapore – Minimum age may force girls to abort foetus overseas or without clinical help

Minimum age may force girls to abort foetus overseas or without clinical help

By Ashton Ng Jing Kai
Published 17 August, 2019

I refer to Voices writer Zhang Jieqiang’s letter, “Set minimum age for women seeking abortion” (Aug 15).

It noted the existence of a minimum age for sex (16 years old), consuming alcohol (18), buying cigarettes (19), and voting or consenting to marry someone (21).

Based on these facts, the writer argued: “Does it not logically follow that there should be a minimum legal age for abortion?”

Continued: https://www.todayonline.com/voices/minimum-age-may-force-girls-abort-foetus-overseas-or-without-clinical-help


Singapore: Ramon Revilla ‘son’ nabbed at Naia over abortion drug

Ramon Revilla ‘son’ nabbed at Naia over abortion drug

By: Pathricia Ann V. Roxas
September 04, 2017

Two persons, including one claiming to be a son of former Sen. Ramon Revilla Sr., were arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) on Monday for bringing into the country P24 million worth of abortifacient drugs, Radyo Inquirer reported.

The two identified as Ruben Bautista, who claimed to be a son of Revilla, and Glenn More Gaddi, came from Singapore and were reportedly arrested by Bureau of Customs (BOC) authorities at the airport.

Continued at source: Inquirer.net: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/927795/ramon-revilla-son-nabbed-at-naia-over-abortion-drug


Are illegal abortions in Hong Kong related to ‘class problem’?


Are illegal abortions in Hong Kong related to ‘class problem’?

High costs for private hospitals and stretched public health services blamed for women turning to black market or mainland to seek help over unwanted pregnancies

Saturday, 02 September, 2017

Increasing numbers of Hong Kong women are risking their lives by seeking illegal abortions at makeshift clinics in the city or on the mainland, an issue which a local lawmaker has condemned as a huge “class problem”.

Speaking to City Weekend after two women were jailed for carrying out illegal abortions in Hong Kong, Shiu Ka-chun, who represents the social welfare sector in the Legislative Council, said Hong Kong’s overburdened public hospitals meant not all pregnant women could get an abortion even if they were eligible. This forced them to resort to dangerous means out of desperation, he added.

Continued at source: South China Morning Post: http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/2109340/are-illegal-abortions-hong-kong-related-class


Singapore: Jail for man who tried to give ‘abortion pills’ to girl he had sex with

Photo: The Business Times

The Straits Times | Elena Chong

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A deliveryman who tried to give "abortion pills" to a 15-year-old girl after getting her pregnant was jailed for 20 months yesterday.

Nuzul Shamil Kassim, 24, was arrested before he could give her the tablets, though the girl went through with an abortion of her own accord.
Shamil pleaded guilty to three counts of underage sex with the girl, who cannot be named, at his Jalan Tenteram flat in May and July last year. Seven other charges were taken into consideration.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Li Yihong told the court that Shamil met the secondary school student through a mutual friend some time in late April last year. They exchanged contact numbers and went out together with mutual friends a few times.

In the first week of May, she asked him to be her "boyfriend'' which he agreed to a few days later. Shamil later told police that he did so because he "pitied'' her.

Some time between May 11 and 22, he invited her to his home and introduced her to his sister as his girlfriend. When it got late, the girl decided to stay over at Shamil's home. She slept on the same mattress as Shamil, together with his younger sister and her boyfriend.

When everyone else in the household was asleep, he got on top of her and they started to kiss before having sex. DPP Li said that after this incident, the girl began going over to his home about once or twice a week for sex.

Shamil broke up with her on July 8. When she found out she was pregnant in August, he asked her to go for an abortion. He enlisted the help of his sister to buy "abortion pills'' but he was arrested before he could hand them to her.

DPP Li said Shamil had committed 10 offences over a short span of time, and did not even use a condom. She also highlighted the trauma the victim had to go through with an unwanted pregnancy. "His callous treatment of the victim and his assistance in providing these 'abortion pills'... must be taken as a reflection of his attitude towards the victim, and how little he was concerned about her welfare."

The maximum punishment for sex with a person under 16 years of age is 10 years' jail and a fine.

Source: news.asiaone.com