Savita’ maternal death & Ireland’s abortion bill connection

Savita experienced a maternal death in an Irish hospital on October 28th, 2012

In late October of 2013, an Indian woman died at the University hospital Galway in Ireland. Savita halappanavar was her name. She came from the Karnataka region of the Western Ghats in India. Savita was a married medical professional from a dentistry background. She became pregnant, and later developed back pain. This young woman was admitted to an Irish hospital on October 21st 2012. She then suffered a maternal death on October 28th of the same year. The Coroner’s report later showed that Savita died from a range of medical health conditions. They being, a fulminant septic shock from E. coli bacteremia; Ascending genital tract sepsis; and Miscarriage at 17 weeks gestation associated with chorioamnionitis. There was another investigation carried out in regard to what appeared to be a medical system failure at the Irish hospital in 2012.

The context to Savita’s maternal death

Abortion in Ireland in 2012 was not legal, although the government did have an expert body to make recommendations. Savita’s husband Praveen, had suggested that a request for an abortion was lodged at the Irish hospital to save her life. The medical staff were unable to grant this request, due to the illegality of abortion in Ireland. It is conceivable that a medical termination could have been performed to save Savita’s life. A medical termination is when the pregnancy is terminated, and the fetus dies outside of the womb. In cases where the fetus is viable, every attempt is made to keep the baby alive. A medical termination however was not given, and the fetus had died in Savita’s womb. The fetus had been delivered (spontaneously) on the 24th October 2012 soon after 3:15pm. The next few days saw a rapid decline in Savita’s health. She suffered a maternal death on October 28th.

The public reaction on Savita’s untimely death

Given the overall context of the abortion debate at a political leval and a maternal death in an Irish hospital, the public reaction was not surprising. Savita’s untimely death catapulted the contentious political debate on abortion legislation for Ireland. This maternal death story did not make the headlines until Wednesday 13th November 2012, due to family sensitivities. But once it made the headlines, the Irish cultural psyche against abortion began to change direction. A referendum was called for by some members of the public. Savita has become a recognized figure in the Irish abortion legislation which followed in the summer of 2013. Her maternal death heralded a change in attitude at the Irish political sphere. Savita’s maternal death will be forever inextricably linked to the legislation of abortion in Ireland. The Unviersity Hospital Galway is now listed as an appropriate institution for termination of pregnancies.