Poland adds pregnancy to patients’ medical data

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — A new rule that went into effect Saturday in Poland requiring pregnancy information to be uploaded to the national digital system has raised concerns among women’s groups that it could be another form of conservative government control over women’s lives means.

Women’s groups say the health ministry’s rules will allow authorities to monitor pregnancies through very strict anti-abortion laws as another means of control in the country.

The ministry denies this, saying the regulation stems from an EU directive and will help doctors treat patients by quickly providing them with vital information.

“In Poland today, every reproductive-related change, especially when it requires the collection of sensitive personal information, is met with malicious suspicion,” said Krystyna Kacpura, head of the FEDERA Foundation for Women and Family Planning.

Source link