Eastern Mediterranean University Dr. Fazıl Küçük Medicine Faculty, in association with Cyprus Turkish Medical Association, hosted a panel entitled “Induced Abortion: Legal and Ethical Approaches”. The said event took place under the moderatorship of EMU Dr. Fazıl Küçük Medicine Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Nahide Gökçora.
The panel hosted Marmara University Medicine Faculty Forensic and Legal Medicine Department academic staff member Prof. Dr. Mehmet Akif İnanıcı’s presentation entitled “Forensic Medical Approaches in Infant Deaths” and Marmara University medicine Faculty, History of Medicine and Medical Ethics Department academic staff member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gürkan Sert’s presentation entitled “Induced Abortion: Legal and Ethical Approaches”.
During the said organisation, it was stated that, excluding exceptional cases such as life treatening situations for the mother or some important diseases found in the fetus, the procedure of womb evacuation cannot be performed on women who have exceeded 10 weeks of pregnancy. Additionally, it was also put forth that pregnancies occuring due to a crime may be finalised until the end of the 20th week according to Turkish Criminal Act.
The panel also hosted discussions on the application of induced abortion procedures within the framework of the rules and regulations and at places which meet set health standards. Government’s significant role in meeting these requirements was also among the topics of discussion.
During the panel, Cyprus Turkish Medical Association Lawyer Feyzi Hansel stated that no separate legislation regarding induced abortion in the TRNC exists. Hansel also stressed the urgency of the formation of regulations in the said area. Forensic Medicine Specialist Dr. İdris Deniz also highlighted the importance and urgency of the issue during the panel.
EMU Dr. Fazıl Küçük Tıp Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Nahide Gökçora stated that all doctors under Hippocratic Oath state the importance given to human life by stating “First, do no harm” (primum non nocere). Prof. Dr. Nahide Gökçora also put forth that abortion operations violating the periods specified in relevant regulations as well as set standards consitute a crime. In this respect, Gökçora added that illegal abortion applications should be prevented by effective administrative measures.
14 March Medicine Day to be Celebrated on 26 March 2016
14 March Medicine Day and White Gown Ceremony has been postponed to 26 March 2016 due to terrorist attacks in Ankara. The said ceremony will take place Rauf Raif Denktaş Culture and Congress Center at 10:00 a.m.
