Press Release
Doctors For Life International

December 11, 2004
Doctors for Life and Sister Charles Are Awaiting The Written Judgement Of The Presiding Officer Before Deciding On Which Course Of Appeal To Adopt

Embargo: Immediate release
Enquiries: John Smyth, QC - (Legal spokesperson, DFL)
Cell: +27 83 653 8804
Date: 11 December 2004

Sister Wilhemien Charles and the Kopanong Hospital

In the meantime DFL are very concerned about statements in the press and media that are DEFAMATORY of Sister Charles

Several press and media reports have reported statements by Nikki Naylor of the Women’s Legal Centre quoting the Hospital’s response in the Court pleadings to the sworn affidavit of Sister Charles in which she asserts:

On 3 occasions she was required to assist with abortion evacuations against her conscience. It is implicit in her affidavit that in no case was there a life-threatening emergency situation.

DFL take a very serious view of the following statements being made in the Press as if evidence on oath had been offered in support of them

  1. :“Sister Charles has refused to take part in ‘emergency procedures’ where a patient’s life was at risk.”
    This is totally untrue and extremely defamatory of a Chief Professional Nurse presently working in a private hospital.
  2. 2. “Sister Charles was offered employment in another theatre at the Kopanong Hospital where no emergencies were involved.”
    This is complete nonsense because the Hospital has only one theatre. DFL had in Court on Dec 8 the former Head of Obstetrics and Gynecology who was in charge for part of the material time to give evidence on this point.

Doctors for Life International represents more than 1000 medical doctors and specialists, three-quarters of who practise in South Africa. DFL was founded as a South African organisation in 1991 and has spread across the globe. DFL is involved in several community projects including orphan care, the care of terminal AIDS patients, malaria prevention and the care of abused women.

For more information, go to: www.doctorsforlifeinternational.com

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