Subject: Global Doctors for Choice publication of interest
Dear colleagues,
On behalf of Global Doctors for Choice, we are pleased to share the publication of our article, Examining Implementation of Health Exception Laws in Six Countries, published in the African Journal of Reproductive Health (May 2026).
The article presents findings from our study examining the implementation of health and life exception laws and policies across six countries, (Colombia, Ghana, Ireland, Peru, Rwanda, South Korea) with the goal of identifying barriers, facilitators, and opportunities to improve access to legally permitted abortion care.
We are grateful to all who participated in interviews and shared their time, expertise, and experiences. We hope the study’s findings provide practical suggestions to strengthen the implementation of health and life exception laws and policies, while encouraging continued dialogue and collaboration among international champions committed to protecting health, dignity, and access to care.
Exceptions to abortion restrictions on the grounds of protecting life or health enable essential care for pregnancy complications but are often underutilized or inconsistently applied. Through a narrative study, Global Doctors for Choice (GDC) aimed to identify barriers and facilitators to implementing these exceptions. We conducted literature and desk reviews and 15 semi-structured interviews (May-August 2025) with physicians, lawyers, and advocates from six countries: Colombia, Ghana, Ireland, Peru, Rwanda, and South Korea. Interviews were transcribed, de-identified, and analyzed for common themes. Implementation depended on disparate, often narrow or incorrect, interpretations by clinicians and institutions. Barriers included lack of training, geographic obstacles, personnel and supply constraints, stigma, and logistical delays, which push patients toward unsafe abortion. Facilitators involved comprehensive training with values clarification, patient awareness campaigns, unambiguous guidelines, and committed advocacy. Ultimately, clear legal frameworks, provider education, advocacy, and patient empowerment could improve access in diverse clinical and legal settings.
Keywords: abortion; access to abortion care; health exception; maternal health; reproductive health policy; unsafe abortion.
African Journal of Reproductive Health © 2026.
The full article is available here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42138025/
With appreciation,
Dorothy Shaw, on behalf of our team
Dorothy Shaw, OC, MBChB, FRCSC
Clinical Professor Emerita, University of British Columbia
Chair, Global Doctors for Choice Committee on Health and Life Exception
Past President, FIGO