The woman was taken to a hospital in the southern town of Pszczyna at 22 weeks pregnant, when her waters broke. The fetus had earlier been found to be developmentally impaired, the state PAP news agency reported.
While in the hospital, the woman suffered a septic shock and died. Relatives claim doctors had delayed terminating the pregnancy for too long, which contributed to the death.
Speaking in a radio interview, Barbara Nowacka, a lawmaker with the opposition Civic Coalition (KO), said she was "shaken" at the news and extended her condolences to the 30-year-old's family.
"The pain of her mother and the fear of her daughter, both of whom have been left bereaved, without an important woman in their lives, only serves to demonstrate the boundless cruelty generated by the current law," Nowacka said, as quoted by PAP.
She added that her opposition group would provide support for the woman's family "if possible and needed."
Nowacka told private broadcaster Radio Zet that pregnant women in Poland were now "fearing for their lives and for their loved ones," after the Constitutional Tribunal tightened abortion law last year.
"I expect from all politicians, all leaders, no matter what their party, a clear commitment that they will side with women and this hell will be brought to an end," Nowacka also said in the interview.
PM expresses 'deepest sympathy'
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki expressed his “deepest sympathy” with the deceased woman’s family and said that “the circumstances surrounding this dramatic case must be explained.”
Morawiecki told reporters that under the current regulations, “when the mother’s life or health is in danger, termination of the pregnancy is still possible,” and the constitutional court’s 2020 verdict “changed nothing in that regard,” PAP reported.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. Photo: PAP/Radek Pietruszka
Also on Friday, opposition leader Donald Tusk, a former prime minister, told a news conference he was “disturbed” by the Pszczyna story and added that “a very dangerous thing has been happening over the last months and years” in Poland.
“The growing pressure from fanatical ideologues produces new laws, new decisions - decisions that are resulting in human deaths,” Tusk said, as quoted by PAP.
Tusk announced he would attend a rally in Warsaw on Saturday against Poland's strict abortion laws.
Donald Tusk. Photo: PAP/Adam Warżawa
Hospital suspends doctors, prosecutors open probe
Meanwhile, the Pszczyna hospital announced it had suspended two doctors who were on duty at the time of the woman's death, PAP reported.
Earlier this week, the hospital stated that "the medics had acted solely to protect the health and life of the patient and the fetus," in accordance "with Polish law," the news agency said.
Prosecutors and National Health Fund officials are investigating the case, according to PAP.
Poland's constitutional court last year ruled that abortion due to serious fetal defects and severe illnesses violated the country's constitution.
Under the new regulations, a pregnancy may only be terminated if it endangers the life or health of the woman or if it is a result of "a forbidden act," such as rape or incest.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP