Thailand Makes Abortion Legal For Women Carrying Fetuses With Serious Zika-Linked Defects

International Business Times: Thailand makes Zika-linked abortions legal as fears over microcephaly rise
“Thai authorities have decided that pregnant women infected with Zika virus can undergo abortion without legal consequences. After much deliberation doctors decided to ease the stringent laws, Thailand’s child health unit said on 5 October…” (Ray, 10/6).

Reuters: Abortion legal in Thai birth defect cases linked to Zika, officials say
“…Health experts who met this week to draft guidelines for expectant mothers with Zika concluded that abortions can be carried out at up to 24 weeks in case of serious birth defects. … Abortion is illegal in Thailand, except in cases of rape or to save a woman’s life or preserve her health, and if carried out in up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. Beyond that time, hospitals must decide on a case-by-case basis…” (Lefevre, 10/6).

The KFF Daily Global Health Policy Report summarized news and information on global health policy from hundreds of sources, from May 2009 through December 2020. All summaries are archived and available via search.

KFF Headquarters: 185 Berry St., Suite 2000, San Francisco, CA 94107 | Phone 650-854-9400
Washington Offices and Barbara Jordan Conference Center: 1330 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005 | Phone 202-347-5270

www.kff.org | Email Alerts: kff.org/email | facebook.com/KFF | twitter.com/kff

The independent source for health policy research, polling, and news, KFF is a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, California.