Medics carry out abortion on wrong mother after mix-up

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Medics performed a termination at Bulovka University Hospital, in Prague, on a woman who was four months pregnant due to a language barrier. Gynaecologist Jan Přáda, vice-chairman of the Czech Medical Chamber, told local media: “A Czech-speaking patient would probably actively resist the fact that she is going to undergo a procedure that she does not understand.” Eva Libigerová, a spokesperson for Bulovka University Hospital, said: “We have expressed our deep regret and apologies to the patient and her entire family for this unfortunate incident and assured her that we will do everything possible to mitigate the harm caused and also compensate her.” A source who did not wish to be identified told news outlet Prahain.cz that both women were of Asian descent and did not have a proficient level of Czech. David Marx, chair of the Czech Society for Quality in Healthcare, said: “The goal must be to do a root analysis, identify the causes, and set a process so that this never happens again.” In the Czech Republic, abortion is legal for any reason up to 12 weeks and up to 24 weeks for medical reasons.