The warm glow of the evening cafe was a stark contrast to the dilemma I faced. A casual phone call from a friend, seeking medical advice, had thrown me into a moral quagmire. She recounted the story of her friend, a woman four days late on her period, with two positive pregnancy tests. The friend was considering terminating the pregnancy and wanted my input.
As a general practitioner in Sri Lanka, I was well aware of the strict laws surrounding abortion. In our country, termination is legal only when the mother's life is at risk. A deeply religious man, I found myself torn between my medical ethics and my personal beliefs. I couldn't condone abortion, yet I couldn't ignore the woman's plight.
I suggested a precautionary ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy, hoping it would buy some time. Perhaps, the delay would allow the woman to reconsider her decision. However, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had indirectly facilitated her intentions.
Should I have taken a more proactive role? Should I have tried to persuade her to continue the pregnancy, citing religious or moral grounds? Or should I have directed her to a gynecologist? Or if I didn't, would she resort to an illegal and unsafe procedure?
The weight of this decision has continued to haunt me. As a doctor, am I obligated to provide medical advice, even if it contradicts my personal beliefs? Or should I prioritize the sanctity of life, regardless of the consequences?
In a country where religion and law intertwine, these questions have no easy answers. As I ponder these ethical dilemmas, I realize that the role of a doctor often extends far beyond the realm of medicine.
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