A doctor yesterday cautioned legislators against giving his colleagues 'a licence to kill' by legalising abortion, calling instead for the spotlight to be turned on members of the profession who knowingly administer harmful drugs to pregnant women to induce abortion.

"I'm not hearing about so many backstreet abortions done by non-medical practitioners," Dr Brendan Bain told the Joint Select Committee of Parliament contemplating the report of the Abortion Policy Review Advisory Group (APRAG).

backstreet abortions done by non-medical practitioners," Dr Brendan Bain told the Joint Select Committee of Parliament contemplating the report of the Abortion Policy Review Advisory Group (APRAG).

"I understand that these days the majority of women admitted to the Kingston Public Hospital for complications of abortions have been given medication where the warning says 'don't give this in pregnancy' by qualified doctors," Bain said.

Noting that it was only the skill of gynaecologists in the use of modern antibiotics that saves the lives of many of these women, Bain, a professor of community health at the University of the West Indies, said the practice needed to stop.

"I don't think we should turn a blind eye to members of my profession who opt for that line of approach only to see a proportion of the patients who they may not be aware of going into hospital for rescue procedure," he said.

"All well-trained doctors know how to kill very elegantly but it is my strong conviction that we should not be licensed to kill," Bain said, further warning against giving doctors authority to perform abortions.

In the meantime, radiologist Dr Wayne West advised the committee to "reject the recommendations" of the advisory group.

Former health minister John Junor established the group with the aim of reducing what was said to be the high rate of maternal mortality in Jamaica, but Dr West contended that he is yet to find any data to support this position.

"The premise on which APRAG was formed has no basis in fact," Dr West argued.

World Health Organisation data estimate that 35 illegal abortions per 1,000 females 15-44 years old are performed by untrained health workers and others in Jamaica annually.

Currently, under the Offences Against the Person Act, persons identified as having made the slightest contribution to abortion are liable to life in prison. Recommendations are that Sections 72 and 73 of the Act be repealed and replaced with a Termination of Pregnancy Act, which provides for training of doctors, the establishment of special clinics and medical facilities, counselling, public education and punishment of persons in breach.

The committee is scheduled to continue its deliberations next week.

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