By Ebi Kesiena
The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has released new procedures and guidelines for permitted abortion cases.
The updated guidelines aim to protect the lives of pregnant women, ensure their safety, and enhance the supervision of healthcare facilities in the UAE.
In a post shared on X, the ministry outlined several conditions under which abortion is legal.
The new regulation stipulates that decisions on abortion requests should be made by a special committee formed within each health authority by a decision of MoHAP or the head of the emirate’s health authority.
The committee will consist of three doctors, including a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology, a specialist in psychiatry, and a representative of the Public Prosecution Service, with the option to consult a third party if necessary.
Key points of the new abortion guidelines include abortion is permitted if the pregnancy poses life-threatening risks to the woman or if the fetus has serious malformations, supported by a medical report.
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Also, abortion is allowed in specific cases, provided that the gestational age at the time of the procedure does not exceed 120 days.
Furthermore, abortion procedures must be performed in facilities approved by health authorities and by a certified specialist obstetrician-gynecologist, without causing medical complications that pose a risk to the woman’s life.
Meanwhile, authorities will establish policies detailing the responsibilities of facilities and staff to ensure that the rights and health requirements of women are met.
Additionally, the health authority is responsible for monitoring and supervising healthcare facilities authorized to perform abortions and assessing compliance. Healthcare facilities in the UAE are required to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of the personal information of pregnant women undergoing abortions.
