A march will be held in Dublin on Saturday 29th October in memory of Savita Halappanavar, who passed away 10 years ago this month. Organized by the National Women's Council of Ireland and the socialist feminist group Rosa, the march will travel from the Garden of Remembrance to the Dáil at 1pm.
The upcoming march's organisers claim that despite the repeal of the Eighth Amendment, there are still some problems with Ireland's termination laws, particularly when it comes to people needing to travel abroad.
"Repeal and the ensuing abortion law has been a landmark victory, but access and legal restrictions are leaving people behind. 375 women had to travel to England and Wales for abortions in 2019; only 10 of the 19 maternity hospitals and 1 in 10 general practitioners offer abortion services, according to the march's organisers.
The NWCI stated that the march's concept was "enthusiastically embraced" at ROSA's Bread and Roses Festival. According to the organisers, the march's purpose is to remember Savita while also reiterating the phrase "never again."
On October 28, 2012, Savita Halappanavar passed away at University Hospital Galway. Her passing had a significant impact on Irish society, the healthcare system, and the way abortion was handled in the nation. Savita's death was attributed to acute sepsis, bloodstream E. coli contamination, and a miscarriage at 17 weeks.
Savita's tale originally gained attention after her husband Praveen revealed the details of his wife's passing to the media, claiming that Savita had been "denied a termination" in the hospital. Two investigations into her death were described in the paper, and the story later made news both domestically and internationally.
The Dáil addressed her case, while reporters continued their conversation with Praveen. Before the Eighth Amendment was removed, there were calls for modifications to the abortion legislation in Ireland.
In Ireland, vigils and protests were held with the message "never again" should a lady pass away in the same way as Savita. The clear system flaws in the hospital's care of Savita and the inclusion of backdated entries in her medical records were criticised by the coroner at the inquest into Savita's death. Medical misadventure was the unanimous finding of the 11-person jury.
According to the HSE's review, "lack of recognition of the gravity of the situation and of the escalating risk to the mother led to passive approaches and delays in aggressive treatment."
The investigators issued a warning that if there was still a lack of clarity regarding the law and national rules, similar incidents might occur again.
A HIQA inquiry also revealed shortcomings in the dentist's care, including a failure to act or escalate concerns to a clinician with the necessary training when there were indications of clinical deterioration. Praveen Halappanavar received an apology from University Hospital Galway following the release of the Hiqa findings.
On July 30, 2013, President Michael D. Higgins authorised the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013. Women now have access to abortions in situations when there is a genuine and significant risk to their lives, including the risk of suicide.
A Citizens Assembly and committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution came after that, and ultimately the referendum to repeal the Eighth Amendment was held.
