The number of abortions at Abu Dhabi’s largest maternity hospital has risen steadily following the introduction of a law that clarified under what circumstances the procedure could be carried out.
Doctors at the government-run Corniche Hospital said the number was about 25 per year in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Last year it rose to 45 and 25 have been carried out so far this year, suggesting a similar or higher number is expected by the end of the year.
The passing of the Medical Liability Law last year did not change the original 2008 ruling on abortion but clearly set out what conditions had to be met.
Abortions are considered legal in two circumstances – if the mother’s life is at risk because of the pregnancy or if the foetus has a disorder that makes it “incompatible with life” and below 120 days. Abortion is illegal is all other circumstances and cannot be opted into.
Dr Ismail Hamade, medical affairs director at Corniche Hospital, said that historically had doctors “avoided” performing abortions because of the absence of a clear legal framework.
“The new Medical Liability Law signed by Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed provided a legal framework for permissible abortions that is compatible with an Islamic perspective," he said.
"The framework embedded in the law enables a permissible abortion in certain medical situations and allows physicians to take appropriate medical-legal decisions.
"Today, we as physicians have better understanding of the law and are more comfortable with making these decisions. I think this explains the increase in the number of permissible abortions compared to previous years."
In 2007, in the absence of a legal framework at that time, permissible abortions were very few.
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Read more:
Call for change in UAE abortion law
Abortions performed in UAE only if lethal abnormality ‘incompatible with life’ is detected
Unwanted pregnancies in UAE ‘forcing women into irrational choices’
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Additionally, Dr Hamade said the decision-making process for permissible abortions was also hindered by the inability to predict the severity of such prenatally-diagnosed conditions, especially in genetic disorders.”
Following the issuance of the original Medical Liability Law in 2008, the number started to increase.
The abortion is “performed by a consultant specialised in obstetrics and gynecology and at the recommendation of the treating consultant for the justified termination of pregnancy,” after the consent of the Medical Specialty Board.
“Advances in pre-natal diagnostic techniques and molecular genetics have made it possible for our doctors to perform prenatal diagnosis early enough and to predict the types of genetic disorders, with its potential subsequent severity," Dr Hamade said.
"Such techniques in the presence of the medical liability law made it possible for our doctors to counsel their patients accurately and in harmony with the law."
Dr Sameh Azzazy, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Well Care Medical Centre in Abu Dubai, also said: “The new law is a relief for us. We now have a better understanding of what the criteria for abortions. It will also reduce the number of women needing to travel abroad to countries where abortions are legal and will also hopefully reduce the number of illegal abortions performed by unlicensed and unethical doctors.”
Dr Azzazy said that he has seen many patients who have developed severe complications after resorting to illegal abortions
“The new law will protect many women and families but we are yet to see clear guidelines distributed to doctors in the private sector,”
Doctors in the private sector are unsure whether the law allows them to perform abortions. Technically, they are able to secure permission but said they instead send patients to government-run facilities.
Dr Aruna Kumari, who works in obstetrics and gynecology at Burjeel Hospital, said she has not heard of an abortion in the private sector for the past eight years.
“We are happy referring them to government hospitals. These cases where abortions are required, are very rare and out of the routine so in a region where abortions are considered taboo it is safer to just refer them to the government," she said.
Abortion-related medicines are also very limited in the private sector, Dr Kumari said.
“Having this procedure under government control prevents any abuse that more likely to occur in the private sector,” she said.
The most common cases of permissible abortions for fetal reasons are anencephaly, lethal chromosomal abnormalities such Meckel Syndrome and Edwards Syndrome, and lethal renal problems.
Permissible abortions for maternal reasons are mainly severe infections such chorioamnionitis, and other life threatening disorders.
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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
Company%20profile
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FROM%20THE%20ASHES
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Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
Pathaan
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RESULTS
2.15pm: Al Marwan Group Holding – Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner: SS Jalmod, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
2.45pm: Sharjah Equine Hospital – Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Ghallieah, Sebastien Martino, Jean-Claude Pecout
3.15pm: Al Marwan Group Holding – Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Inthar, Saif Al Balushi, Khalifa Al Neyadi
3.45pm: Al Ain Stud Emirates Breeders Trophy – Conditions (PA) Dh50,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: MH Rahal, Richard Mullen, Elise Jeanne
4.25pm: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Cup – Prestige Handicap (PA) Dh100,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: JAP Aneed, Ray Dawson, Irfan Ellahi
4.45pm: Sharjah Equine Hospital – Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Edaraat, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
'My Son'
Director: Christian Carion
Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis
Rating: 2/5
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: ten-speed
Power: 420bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: Dh325,125
On sale: Now
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
Results
2.30pm: Park Avenue – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 2,000m; Winner: Rb Seqondtonone, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
3.05pm: Al Furjan – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Bosphorus, Dane O’Neill, Bhupat Seemar
3.40pm: Mina – Rated Condition (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Royal Mews, Tadhg O’Shea, Bhupat Seemar
4.15pm: Aliyah – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,900m; Winner: Ursa Minor, Ray Dawson, Ahmad bin Harmash
4.50pm: Riviera Beach – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 2,200m; Winner: Woodditton, Saif Al Balushi, Ahmad bin Harmash
5.25pm: Riviera – Handicap (TB) Dh2,000 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Al Madhar, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
6pm: Creek Views – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Al Salt, Dane O’Neill, Erwan Charpy
Results
Stage Two:
1. Mark Cavendish (GBR) QuickStep-AlphaVinyl 04:20:45
2. Jasper Philipsen (BEL) Alpecin-Fenix
3. Pascal Ackermann (GER) UAE Team Emirates
4. Olav Kooij (NED) Jumbo-Visma
5. Arnaud Demare (FRA) Groupama-FDJ
General Classification:
1. Jasper Philipsen (BEL) Alpecin-Fenix 09:03:03
2. Dmitry Strakhov (RUS) Gazprom-Rusvelo 00:00:04
3. Mark Cavendish (GBR) QuickStep-AlphaVinyl 00:00:06
4. Sam Bennett (IRL) Bora-Hansgrohe 00:00:10
5. Pascal Ackermann (GER) UAE Team Emirates 00:00:12
Top Hundred overseas picks
London Spirit: Kieron Pollard, Riley Meredith
Welsh Fire: Adam Zampa, David Miller, Naseem Shah
Manchester Originals: Andre Russell, Wanindu Hasaranga, Sean Abbott
Northern Superchargers: Dwayne Bravo, Wahab Riaz
Oval Invincibles: Sunil Narine, Rilee Rossouw
Trent Rockets: Colin Munro
Birmingham Phoenix: Matthew Wade, Kane Richardson
Southern Brave: Quinton de Kock
