August 15, 2005
DOCTORS FOR LIFE BACK IN COURT ON BEHALF OF THEATRE
SISTER WILHEMIEN CHARLES
Embargo: Immediate release
Enquiries: John Smyth, QC - (Legal spokesperson, DFL)
Cell: +27 83 653 8804
Date: 15 August 2005
Doctors for Life will continue their quest for justice on behalf of the Theatre Sister who was discriminated against by Kopanong Hospital :
Tuesday 16 August 2005 10:00 hours
Johannesburg High Court
Before Mr Justice Jajbhay
DFL and Sister Charles are represented by John Smyth,QC. Adv. M. Mphaga instructed by the State Attorney represents the respondents.
DFL has been assisting and advising Sister Charles from the beginning when she contacted us about her predicament of being expected to take part in abortions.
Sister Charles, a Chief Professional Nurse with special qualifications in Theatre work, was barred from working in theatre at the Kopanong Hospital in Vereeniging because she had taken a stand on her constitutional right not to do abortion cases on the ground of her Christian beliefs. The new Equality Courts set up under the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 2000, provide a fast-track procedure for dealing with cases of this nature. The theatre sister and Doctors for Life are claiming against the Hospital, the MEC and National Minister of Health:
An unconditional apology.
Damages for the impairment of her dignity, and for emotional and
psychological suffering, in the sum of R50 000,00 and costs.
An order directing the National Minister of Health to prevent unfair
discriminatory practices on the ground of religion, conscience or belief at the
Kopanong Hospital and at Health facilities nation-wide.
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