Prime Minister Robert Abela has announced that the government is considering amendments to the Professional Secrecy Act to protect women who seek post-abortion medical treatment from being reported to authorities without their explicit consent.
Speaking on ONE Radio, Abela made the remarks following public outcry over a case in which a 28-year-old woman was given a 22-month suspended sentence after telling doctors she had used abortion pills bought online.
Abela said that although many thought such prosecutions were improbable, this case reveals that Maltese women using abortion pills often face problems. He cautioned that worrying over prosecution could turn off women from seeking prompt medical attention, endangering their lives.
The prime minister said that although the administration does not want to legalize or decriminalize abortion, it does wish to make sure doctors are unable to register women without their permission.
Failed to pass fully in 2023 was a reform designed to safeguard women’s health. Only if the woman’s health was at severe risk and her life was in danger would it permit dismissals.
During his radio interview as well, Abela supported recent planning changes, arguing they would improve legal certainty and equity.He said on the contentious regularization of unauthorized developments that the changes are intended to offer peace of mind rather than punishment.
Regarding agricultural reform, Abela stated fresh regulations would demand land registration and upkeep to improve food security, but family land use would remain unchanged. The government will try to find the rightful owner before allowing farming activity in cases of ambiguous ownership.
Meanwhile, Abela’s predecessor, Joseph Muscat, strongly objected to the planning adjustments, claiming the government’s reaction to the event was “a whole shambles.”
