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Amendments to Choice of Termination of Pregnancy Act approved by Parliament
17 January 2008
The Department of Health welcomes the passing of the amendments to the Choice of Termination of Pregnancy Act (Act 92 of 1996) by the National Assembly during its special sitting in Cape Town today (January 17).
The amendments will enhance the implementation of the Act and increase access to the termination of pregnancy (TOP) services to all those who may need the service.
The passing of the amendments by the National Assembly is a major victory for the Department following the delays in effecting the amendments to the Act due to a Constitutional Court challenge by Doctors for Life.
Among other things, the amendments provide automatic approval of facilities that have 24-hour maternity service to provide TOP services if these facilities meet the requirements. The Act is also being amended to allow appropriately trained professional nurses to conduct first trimester termination of pregnancy procedures.
The Department believes that the amendments to the Act will further empower women to exercise their choices and improve access to reproductive health services. They will also improve access to safe termination of pregnancy services. Most importantly, they make it an offence to terminate or allow termination of pregnancy at an unapproved facility.
Contact: Sibani Mngadi
Cell: 082 772 0161
Issued by: Department of Health
17 January 2008