On conscientious objection

The issue of conscientious objection to abortion by healthcare professionals has become somewhat controversial in recent times.

While this constitutional right has been recognised in Spain for decades, it is once again the subject of much debate following the government's order to create registries of professionals who claim to exercise this right freely.

According to their promoters, the aim of these registers is to regulate the rights of professionals and women seeking an abortion, preventing any conflict of wills.

But this idea may cause problems that would not arise if other measures were taken.

As part of our normal professional practice, when additional work arises — for instance, carrying out surgical procedures during extended hours to reduce waiting lists — the system is simple: professionals volunteer to do it. There are lists for this kind of activities. It is a commonly used, voluntary and effective system.

However, the establishment of lists of conscientious objectors raises some questions.

First, although the recording of this data is supposed to guarantee confidentiality, it is difficult not to compromise it when not even the objector knows who will have access to it. It is assumed that it will be those who 'regulate' healthcare activity. But who specifically?

[destacate]We are increasingly obstructing those who are committed to fully respecting the Hippocratic oath [/destacate]Second, it is unclear what influence this registry will have on the hiring of healthcare professionals for public sector positions based on equal opportunities, merit and ability.

Access to permanent positions is granted through transparent competitive examinations. However, a large proportion of healthcare workers, especially doctors, have non-permanent employment contracts, and their recruitment is based on interviews or less objective assessments.

Therefore, it is possible that a worker's status as an objector could make them less attractive for recruitment, despite their value in other areas. Furthermore, it is worrying that their objection could be known to a potential employer.

Until now, conscientious objectors have exercised our right without any registration.

In my case, I only had to make a handwritten statement to my supervisor and the management of my hospital, informing them of my decision, since, by law, conscientious objectors must declare their position prior to the events that caused it. But this information was held by immediate managers and only concerned active professionals.

This methodology has never caused any problems for conscientious objectors or patient care.

We therefore do not know what may be the intention behind this new idea, and wonder whether it will affect our rights.

What is clear is that we are increasingly obstructing those who are committed to fully respecting the Hippocratic oath. Ending a life is becoming easier every day, while defending it, more difficult.

Susana Cossío Losa is a midwife in Spain.

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