An OB-GYN in Ireland issued a warning to government leaders, stating that doctors and nurses will leave their jobs rather than be compelled to perform abortions. Dr. Trevor Hayes highlighted the shortage of medical workers in the country and argued that ending conscience protections would harm the individuals that the government claims to want to help, namely women. Hayes emphasized that the majority of Irish doctors do not perform abortions and that ending a life is not healthcare. He stated that abortion doesn’t serve women and is a sign of failure. Hayes will be speaking at the upcoming Rally for Life in Dublin, where pro-life leaders will urge the government to reverse the increase in abortion numbers and restore legal protections for unborn babies.
Despite the repeal of Ireland’s pro-life Eighth Amendment in 2018, many doctors and nurses still refuse to participate in abortions. Hayes emphasized that medical workers should not be forced into performing abortions, which are neither necessary nor part of healthcare. He claimed that many medical professionals would rather leave the field than be involved in the practice. Hayes revealed concerns that the government may attempt to compel medical workers to perform abortions by including it as a mandatory requirement in employment contracts. He warned that such actions would be discriminatory, unethical, and would drive skilled professionals away from the healthcare sector, further straining the already stretched maternal healthcare services in Ireland.
In addition to medical professionals standing against the practice of abortion, a recent study conducted on Irish medical workers who participate in abortions revealed the disturbing nature of the practice. One midwife highlighted the difficulty in dealing with the remains of aborted babies, particularly when they have identifiable features such as little fingernails. Other providers admitted to feeling guilty when contemplating the fate of aborted babies. The study indicated that contact with fetal remains led some providers to reflect on the loss of potential life and the consequences of their actions.
The issues raised by medical professionals in Ireland echo sentiments expressed by doctors worldwide who recognize that abortion is not healthcare. The medical profession’s duty is to heal and save lives, and unborn babies deserve equal medical care from the moment of conception. The warning from Dr. Hayes emphasizes the need to protect conscience rights and respect the rights of medical professionals to act according to their beliefs.