Investigation underway
Health Minister Izabela Leszczyna announced on social media that Poland’s National Health Fund (NFZ) and the Patient Rights Ombudsman would look into the hospital’s conduct.
According to Gazeta Wyborcza, the woman, referred to as Anita, was admitted to the gynecology and pregnancy pathology ward. She discovered significant fetal anomalies late in her pregnancy and decided on a termination.
When she requested psychological support, staff allegedly arranged her involuntary admission to a psychiatric unit, citing “deteriorating mental state.” Doctors reportedly denied her request to leave on her own terms, confining her in isolation for three days.
“Misled and dismissed”
Before the psychiatric referral, hospital administrators had declined her request for a legally entitled abortion.
Although a psychiatric panel later found grounds for terminating the pregnancy, some physicians questioned the severity of the fetus' condition, while others insisted more information would only emerge after birth.
Anita and her husband had already decided on abortion, but say they were frustrated by conflicting opinions.
The hospital has not publicly responded to the allegations. The NFZ and the Patient Rights Ombudsman continue their investigations.
(jh)
Source: Gazeta Wyborcza, RMF24