We are writing this letter in solidarity with Lela, a woman, wife and a mother currently hospitalized in Olsztyn, Poland, with her life in danger. Her health is deteriorating while she waits for an abortion that is medically necessary, and urgently needed. Again we are seeing a case where the health and life of a woman is put second.

For weeks, Lela has been asking doctors to perform an abortion. Now, she is 15 weeks pregnant. She suffers from type 1 diabetes and multiple life-threatening health complications caused and worsened by the pregnancy. She is vomiting blood and now unable to eat on her own, growing weaker each day, and living with constant fear and pain. Despite this, and despite clear medical documentation, her abortion has been delayed for weeks.

Lela has been clear and consistent in her request. She does not want to continue this pregnancy. She has told doctors that she has a husband and children, that she has people to live for, and that she is afraid. She does not speak Polish, which has deepened her isolation inside a system where every delay carries real risk.

What is happening to Lela is not an unavoidable tragedy. It is a failure of care and a consequence of the almost total abortion ban in Poland. Polish law allows abortion when a woman’s health is threatened, even indirectly, but the legal restrictions have time and again caused delayed care. The duty of the hospital in this situation is to protect the patient’s life. And yet Lela is growing weaker, forced to wait while her suffering is prolonged.

We stand in full solidarity with Lela and with everyone fighting for her right to receive life-saving care. No woman should have to reach this point of physical collapse before getting life saving healthcare. No woman should have to rely on public pressure to receive medical treatment she is legally entitled to.

But solidarity alone is not enough.

Because Lela’s case is not an exception. Marta, Agnieszka, Justyna, are just some of the women who died in Polish hospitals because they were denied an abortion when it could save their lives.

This should not happen to Lela and should not happen to anyone else. That is why we are calling on:

Jolanta Sobierańska-Grenda, Polish Minister of Health. You have the power to ensure that until the harmful abortion ban laws in Poland are changed at least hospitals do not apply the most harmful reading of the law. That hospitals should act without delay so that women are not left to suffer while responsibility is passed from one institution to another.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, this Thursday, February 26, you have the power to prevent this from happening again with a statement of clear support of the European Commission to the demands of the My Voice, My Choice European citizens initiative for Safe and Accessible Abortion.

Political power comes with responsibility to act.

We hope you will do the right thing. For Lela and for every woman in Europe.

FEDERA – Foundation for Women and Family Planning, Poland

My Voice, My Choice