The number of abortions in health care facilities in Croatia is decreasing, but the number of births as well – Vijesti.hr reports.
Last year, there were 36,481 live-born children in Croatia, which is 1012 less than a year earlier, and almost 3,500 babies less compared to the same data five years earlier.
The last year rate of abortion has been lowest since 1995. The total number was 6145, which is 759 less compared to last year. Most often, women are between the ages of 30 and 39, without children, or with one or two children.
However, the number of live births per thousand women of reproductive age is also decreasing, it is clear from the newly published data of the Croatian Institute of Public Health.
Furthermore, the same data show that the highest number of abortions is recorded in KB Merkur, Split, Rijeka, Osijek KBC and in Pula Hospital.
On the other hand, at a hospital in Vinkovci, Nasice and Nova Gradiska hospital last year, one legally induced abortion was recorded. Some hospitals have more doctors that won’t do abortions – so called invocation of conscience - that doctors are entitled to under these procedure.
According to the decision of the Constitutional Court, the Government must reach the first Croatian law on pregnancy termination by February. This first 'law on abortion' should inherit the current, inherited from the former state, and finally arrange all the questions about abortion, and thus an invocation of conscience – website Vijesti.hr reports.