The medical facility, located in central Poland, disputes the penalty and intends to challenge the decision in court, media reported on Friday.
In June, Health Minister Izabela Leszczyna announced that the NFZ's control department was investigating cases of abortion refusals, including at the Pabianice Medical Center. The initial fine imposed on the hospital was PLN 550,000, later reduced to PLN 250,000.
The country’s health fund conducted an inspection of The Pabianice Medical Center’s Gynecology and Obstetrics Department in 2023. The investigation focused on the provision and billing of services rendered to a patient, resulting in the financial penalty.
"The Pabianice Medical Center does not agree with the findings of the NFZ inspection and the imposed fine," hospital spokesperson Patrycja Socha said in a statement to the Polish Press Agency. "The hospital did not deny the patient the right to an abortion; it merely indicated that it was necessary for the patient to provide final diagnostic results."
"In the event that our appeal is not considered, we will initiate legal proceedings against the National Health Fund, including submitting a request to the court to prevent the NFZ from deducting the fine," Socha added.
The hospital also refuted claims that any of its doctors invoked the so-called "conscience clause" in this case. The conscience clause in Poland allows medical professionals to refuse to perform certain medical procedures, such as abortions, if they conflict with their personal beliefs, provided they refer the patient to another facility where the service can be carried out.
"We emphasize that none of the doctors in our Gynecology and Obstetrics Department applied, nor currently apply, the so-called conscience clause," Socha stated. "The hospital underscores that no patient has been refused hospitalization or the guaranteed service of pregnancy termination in legally and medically justified cases."
Poland has some of the strictest abortion laws in Europe, allowing the procedure only in cases of rape, incest, or when the mother's life is at risk. The country's abortion policies have been a subject of intense public debate and international scrutiny.
(jh)
Source: PAP