PROTESTS REGARDING THE FATE OF PRO-LIFE DR DE VOS HAVE SPREAD LIKE WILDFIRE FROM SOUTH AFRICA ALL THE WAY TO NAIROBI KENYA; ALLEGED NEWS. [1] MORE THAN 19,000 SIGNATURES FROM AFRICAN CITIZENS - CONCERNED ABOUT THE FATE OF PRO-LIFE DR JACQUES DE VOS - WERE DELIVERED TO HIGH COMMISSIONER THEMBELA NGCULU AT HIS NAIROBI OFFICE AS REPORTED ON 25th SEPTEMBER 2019; ALLEGED NEWS. [2]
Dr de Vos is facing charges for telling a pregnant woman basic scientific facts about her unborn baby; Alleged News. [3] Dr de Vos was completing his medical internship two years ago when the Health Professions Council of South Africa charged him for telling a woman that an abortion kills a human being; Alleged News. [3]
South African High Commission
Protesters delivered the more than 19,000 petitions 'Stop persecuting Dr Jacques de Vos for his pro-life beliefs' to the South African High Commission in Nairobi; Alleged News. [1] Received by High Commissioner Thembela Ngculu and two others, CitizenGO volunteers explained the plight of Dr de Vos and why this doctor needed not only his career but his life back, Alleged News. [1] Volunteers prayed for Dr de Vos outside the South African embassy, Alleged News. [1]
Cape Town Inquiry
Dr de Vos' inquiry began in Cape Town in August, based on four unprofessional conduct charges; Alleged News. According to the report, he allegedly 'infringed' on the patient's 'autonomy with anti-abortion utterances', Alleged News. During Dr de Vos' medical internship at 2 Military Hospital in Wynberg, he allegedly told a pregnant woman that her 'fetus was a human being' and that an abortion kills an unborn human, Alleged News. Dr de Vos lost his employment and was banned from practising medicine, Alleged News. He was only a week away from finishing his medical degree, Alleged News. [3]
Regulations
According to Defence advocate Keith Matthee, several regulations had not been adhered to, including
- failure to give the defence the complainant letter
- the reintroduction of new charges after the hearing date was finalized
- failure to disclose the members of the committee seven days before the hearing to allow the defence to carry out a diligence on them to ensure Dr de Vos received a fair trial
- failure to produce copies of written statements by witnesses, Alleged News [3]
African Christian Democratic party
The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) stated in August that it stood in solidarity with Dr Jacques de Vos, Alleged News. ACDP MP Maria Sukers said the party commended Dr de Vos, who was charged by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), Alleged News. MP Sukers said the doctor had taken a 'bold and unpopular stand in choosing to be a voice for the voiceless,' Alleged News. [3]
Counselling
Section 4 of the South Africa Numbered Acts: Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1996 [No 92 of 1996] - G 17602 states the following:
4. The State shall promote the provision of non-mandatory and non-directive counselling, before and after the termination of a pregnancy
Consent
5. (1) Subject to the provisions of subsections (4) and (5), the termination of a pregnancy may only take place with the informed consent of the pregnancy woman. [3]
Thus non-mandatory and non-directive counselling prior-and post abortion is promoted. The abortion may only take place with the informed consent of the pregnant woman. Informed consent is the permission granted with the full knowledge of the possible consequences, typically that which is given by a patient to a doctor for treatment with knowledge of the possible risks and benefits. [3]
Inquiry delayed
The inquiry regarding Dr Jacques de Vos was due to come up on 3rd and 4th October 2019 in Cape Town: Alleged News. [1] The hearing, before a six-member committee, has reportedly been postponed to the end of October; Alleged News. [4] The chairperson of the disciplinary committee is reportedly no longer available on the scheduled dates due to 'logistical issues which the respondent's attorneys are aware of,' Alleged News. [4] Doctors for Life reportedly claimed that the HPCSA's failure to provide the defence with crucial documents was behind the delay; Alleged News. [4]
Protests are growing
The protests regarding the fate of Dr Jacques de Vos are growing, with concern being voiced from South Africa to Kenya. One petition has been handed in from CitizenGO. Another petition is doing the rounds, with the political party African Christian Democratic Party standing with pro-life Dr de Vos.
HERE IS A FURTHER PETITION REQUESTING SIGNATURES IN SUPPORT OF DR DE VOS: WHY NOT SIGN?
https://www.change.org/p/pro-life-acdp-stands-with-pro-life-dr-de-vos?use_react=false
Increased support
Support for Dr de Vos in South Africa and further afield has been growing apace. 2019 has shown nationwide protests against the abortion law. [7] ongoing South African marches for life such as the March for Life Cape Town, [8] the Pretoria prolife rally to protest abortion law [9], the NAL Pretoria demonstration against abortion [10], ongoing protests against Marie Stopes clinics [7 and 9]. The fact that mother and her unborn baby are two separate entities is clear [11]. Prolife voters went to the polls with prolife voter guide confidence [12]. South African prolifers affirmed the sanctity of unborn life at the National Alliance for Life [NAL] conference in Pretoria [13 and 14].
Inquiry delayed
The inquiry regarding Dr Jacques de Vos was due to come up on 3rd and 4th October 2019 in Cape Town: Alleged News. [1] The hearing, before a six-member committee, has reportedly been postponed to the end of October; Alleged News. [4] The chairperson of the disciplinary committee is reportedly no longer available on the scheduled dates due to 'logistical issues which the respondent's attorneys are aware of,' Alleged News. [4] Doctors for Life reportedly claimed that the HPCSA's failure to provide the defence with crucial documents was behind the delay; Alleged News. [4]
Protests are growing
The protests regarding the fate of Dr Jacques de Vos are growing, with concern being voiced from South Africa to Kenya. One petition has been handed in from CitizenGO. Another petition is doing the rounds, with the political party African Christian Democratic Party standing with pro-life Dr de Vos.
HERE IS A FURTHER PETITION REQUESTING SIGNATURES IN SUPPORT OF DR DE VOS: WHY NOT SIGN?
https://www.change.org/p/pro-life-acdp-stands-with-pro-life-dr-de-vos?use_react=false
Human anatomy lecturer to testify
UCT Senior lecturer in human anatomy and embryology, Dr Christopher Warton, will testify at the hearing of Dr de Vos; who was charged for advising a mother that her unborn child is a human life; Alleged News. [6] The hearing is now set down for 28-30 October 2019 at the Southern Sun Hotel, Newlands, Cape Town; Alleged News. [6] The expert testimony of Dr Warton may be found in link [6]; a synopsis encapsulates the following:
- The main question posed to Dr Warton to address in this opinion is whether it is reasonable for a health practitioner, in the light of his/her undergraduate education in embryology, to regard a fetus as human life when seeking to comply with "doing good, doing no harm" to a patient; Alleged News [6]
- Expert testimony by Dr Warton - author of two manuals for the teaching of Embryology which have been extensively used by undergraduate medical students at UCT [University of Cape Town] in recent years - follows; Alleged News [6]
- Dr Warton's opinion is that it is entirely rational and reasonable for a medical practitioner to view a 19 week old fetus as human life to whom she must do good and do no harm. This would for example explain why a medical practitioner would carefully consider the effects of any medication she prescribes for the mother, on the fetus; Alleged News. [6]
- To the question 'Should a woman be informed of the development and appearance of her fetus when being counselled prior to a proposed abortion,' Dr Warton opines it is usual when obtaining informed consent from a patient to tell them all relevant information so they can make a proper decision. It is unethical to hide from them relevant information. If a woman has an abortion and later discovers that the fetus was more developed she realized she could legitimately complain that her consent was not informed. It is thus entirely reasonable for a health practitioner to seek to inform such a patient of the nature of the fetus whose life is to be terminated; Alleged News. [6]
- The main question posed to Dr Warton to address in this opinion is whether it is reasonable for a health practitioner, in the light of his/her undergraduate education in embryology, to regard a fetus as human life when seeking to comply with "doing good, doing no harm" to a patient; Alleged News [6]
- Expert testimony by Dr Warton - author of two manuals for the teaching of Embryology which have been extensively used by undergraduate medical students at UCT [University of Cape Town] in recent years - follows; Alleged News [6]
- Dr Warton's opinion is that it is entirely rational and reasonable for a medical practitioner to view a 19 week old fetus as human life to whom she must do good and do no harm. This would for example explain why a medical practitioner would carefully consider the effects of any medication she prescribes for the mother, on the fetus; Alleged News. [6]
- To the question 'Should a woman be informed of the development and appearance of her fetus when being counselled prior to a proposed abortion,' Dr Warton opines it is usual when obtaining informed consent from a patient to tell them all relevant information so they can make a proper decision. It is unethical to hide from them relevant information. If a woman has an abortion and later discovers that the fetus was more developed she realized she could legitimately complain that her consent was not informed. It is thus entirely reasonable for a health practitioner to seek to inform such a patient of the nature of the fetus whose life is to be terminated; Alleged News. [6]
Support for Dr de Vos in South Africa and further afield has been growing apace. 2019 has shown nationwide protests against the abortion law. [7] ongoing South African marches for life such as the March for Life Cape Town, [8] the Pretoria prolife rally to protest abortion law [9], the NAL Pretoria demonstration against abortion [10], ongoing protests against Marie Stopes clinics [7 and 9]. The fact that mother and her unborn baby are two separate entities is clear [11]. Prolife voters went to the polls with prolife voter guide confidence [12]. South African prolifers affirmed the sanctity of unborn life at the National Alliance for Life [NAL] conference in Pretoria [13 and 14].
STAND WITH DR DE VOS!
WE PRAY THAT THE MARTYRDOM OF
OUR INNOCENT CITIZENS WILL CEASE.
THIS IS THE REALITY OF ABORTION
[1] Protesters in Nairobi Stand with Persecuted South African Jacques de Vos, Alleged News.
[2] CitizenGO delivers more than 19,000 signatures for pro-life doctor De Vos; Alleged News
[3] South Africa: Pro-life Dr de Vos charged with unprofessional conduct for telling patient abortion kills a human being: Alleged News
http://lumierecharity.blogspot.com/2019/08/south-africa-pro-life-dr-de-vos-charged.html
[4] Anti-abortion doctor hit with fresh delay in disciplinary hearing; Alleged News
https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2019-10-02-anti-abortion-doctor-hit-with-fresh-delay-in-disciplinary-hearing/
[5] ACDP stands with pro-life Dr de Vos; Alleged News
https://www.change.org/p/pro-life-acdp-stands-with-pro-life-dr-de-vos?use_react
[6] Human anatomy lecturer to testify at Dr de Vos hearing re humanity of unborn child, Alleged News
https://joynews.co.za/human-anatomy-lecturer-to-testify-at-dr-de-vos-hearing-re-humanity-of-unborn-child/
[7] South Africa: nationwide demonstrations against the abortion law
http://lumierecharity.blogspot.com/2019/02/south-africa-nationwide-demonstrations.html
[8] March for Life Cape Town South Africa - meet the protesters against abortion law
http://lumierecharity.blogspot.com/2019/02/march-for-life-cape-town-south-africa.html
[9] South Africa: Pretoria prolife rally protests abortion law
http://lumierecharity.blogspot.com/2019/03/south-africa-pretoria-prolife-rally.html
[10] Pretoria NAL conference and demonstration against abortion; meet the protesters
http://lumierecharity.blogspot.com/2019/05/pretoria-nal-conference-and.html
[11] Mother and fetus: one entity or two separate entities? A study
http://lumierecharity.blogspot.com/2019/04/mother-and-fetus-one-entity-or-two.html
[12] Election fever grips South Africa. Here is the voters guide to help you vote prolife
http://lumierecharity.blogspot.com/2019/04/election-fever-grips-south-africa-here.html
[13] South Africa affirms the sanctity of life at the NAL conference
http://lumierecharity.blogspot.com/2019/05/south-africa-affirms-sanctity-of-unborn.html
[14] Pretoria NAL conference and demonstration against abortion; meet the protesters
http://lumierecharity.blogspot.com/2019/05/pretoria-nal-conference-and.html
With thanks to change.org, joynews.co.zza, hazteoir.org and sowetanlive.co.za
http://lumierecharity.blogspot.com/2019/08/south-africa-pro-life-dr-de-vos-charged.html
[4] Anti-abortion doctor hit with fresh delay in disciplinary hearing; Alleged News
https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2019-10-02-anti-abortion-doctor-hit-with-fresh-delay-in-disciplinary-hearing/
[5] ACDP stands with pro-life Dr de Vos; Alleged News
https://www.change.org/p/pro-life-acdp-stands-with-pro-life-dr-de-vos?use_react
[6] Human anatomy lecturer to testify at Dr de Vos hearing re humanity of unborn child, Alleged News
https://joynews.co.za/human-anatomy-lecturer-to-testify-at-dr-de-vos-hearing-re-humanity-of-unborn-child/
[7] South Africa: nationwide demonstrations against the abortion law
http://lumierecharity.blogspot.com/2019/02/south-africa-nationwide-demonstrations.html
[8] March for Life Cape Town South Africa - meet the protesters against abortion law
http://lumierecharity.blogspot.com/2019/02/march-for-life-cape-town-south-africa.html
[9] South Africa: Pretoria prolife rally protests abortion law
http://lumierecharity.blogspot.com/2019/03/south-africa-pretoria-prolife-rally.html
[10] Pretoria NAL conference and demonstration against abortion; meet the protesters
http://lumierecharity.blogspot.com/2019/05/pretoria-nal-conference-and.html
[11] Mother and fetus: one entity or two separate entities? A study
http://lumierecharity.blogspot.com/2019/04/mother-and-fetus-one-entity-or-two.html
[12] Election fever grips South Africa. Here is the voters guide to help you vote prolife
http://lumierecharity.blogspot.com/2019/04/election-fever-grips-south-africa-here.html
[13] South Africa affirms the sanctity of life at the NAL conference
http://lumierecharity.blogspot.com/2019/05/south-africa-affirms-sanctity-of-unborn.html
[14] Pretoria NAL conference and demonstration against abortion; meet the protesters
http://lumierecharity.blogspot.com/2019/05/pretoria-nal-conference-and.html
With thanks to change.org, joynews.co.zza, hazteoir.org and sowetanlive.co.za
