The Ministry of Health denounces the Ayuso government for ignoring the registry of abortion conscientious objectors.

BarcelonaThe power struggle that the government of the popular Isabel Díaz Ayuso is maintaining with the Ministry of Health over theviolation of the abortion law The case has a new chapter in the High Court of Justice of Madrid. The department of Minister Mónica García has filed an administrative appeal demanding that the high court compel the Community of Madrid to create a registry of doctors who are conscientious objectors to abortion, a list mandated by the 2023 law and used to help plan gynecological services in healthcare centers.

In September, Madrid, Aragon, the Balearic Islands, and Asturias were the only four communities that had not opened the registryBut Ayuso's government is the only one that has not responded to the request made by the Spanish executive, and the Madrid president has even repeatedly insisted on her refusal to provide the lists of professionals. At that time, Minister García had already announced that I would go all the way and use every means to ensure compliance with the records.

Faced with Madrid's defiance, the Ministry of Health has formalized its appeal, requesting the Administrative Chamber of the High Court to order the Community of Madrid, as a precautionary measure, to create this registry. This is not only because the abortion law mandates it, but also because this community, along with the rest of Spain, is required to do so by 2024. The registry is a confidential list that cannot be accessed by the public. It is being created to serve a dual purpose: firstly, to guarantee that all hospitals have professionals who are willing to perform abortions so that women can exercise their right at any time; and secondly, to prevent these doctors from being pressured by their superiors. In fact, the philosophy and operation of this tool is similar to the registry that includes healthcare professionals who object to performing euthanasia, a registry that, unlike the abortion registry, has not generated any opposition from either professionals or politicians.

Women's groups and professionals have denounced that in many public centers, doctors' refusal to perform abortions makes it impossible for women to access them. a benefit that has been universal and free since 2010This situation forces women to postpone the procedure or to look for alternatives, which increases anxiety and distress.