Death of Savita Halappanavar

Death of Savita Halappanavar

The Death of Savita Halappanavar occurred on 28 October 2012, in University Hospital Galway, Ireland. Savita Halappanavar, a 31-year-old dentist, died due to complications of a septic miscarriage. Her death sparked international controversy and debate over Ireland's abortion laws, leading to significant changes in legislation.

Background[edit | edit source]

Savita Halappanavar, originally from India, was living in Galway, Ireland, with her husband Praveen Halappanavar. She was 17 weeks pregnant when admitted to University Hospital Galway on 21 October 2012, complaining of back pain. It was discovered that she was miscarrying, and over the following days, her condition deteriorated.

Medical Course and Requests for Termination[edit | edit source]

Upon admission, it was determined that Savita was miscarrying, but a fetal heartbeat was still present. Savita and her husband requested a medical termination of the pregnancy due to her increasing pain and the unviability of the fetus. However, their requests were denied because Irish law at the time only permitted abortion if there was a clear risk to the mother's life. The medical team reportedly told the Halappanavars that because Ireland was a "Catholic country," they could not perform an abortion while a fetal heartbeat was detectable.

Death and Aftermath[edit | edit source]

Savita's condition worsened, and she developed sepsis. Despite efforts to treat her, she died of septic shock and multi-organ failure on 28 October 2012. Her death led to widespread protests in Ireland and internationally, with calls for reform of Ireland's abortion laws.

Investigations and Inquiries[edit | edit source]

Following Savita Halappanavar's death, several investigations were launched, including an inquest by the Coroner's Court, an inquiry by the Health Service Executive (HSE), and an independent review by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA). The investigations found deficiencies in the care provided to Savita, including failures in recognizing and managing her infection.

Impact[edit | edit source]

The death of Savita Halappanavar had a profound impact on public opinion and policy in Ireland regarding abortion. It was a catalyst for the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013, which clarified the circumstances under which abortions could legally be performed in Ireland. The case also contributed to the momentum for the repeal of the Eighth Amendment of the Irish Constitution, which recognized the equal right to life of the pregnant woman and the unborn, leading to the Referendum on the Eighth Amendment in 2018.