ABORTION (Measures to discourage)

Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Acting Minister for Health whether, in view of the falling birth rate, he will take steps to abolish abortion or consider introducing amending legislation to make it more difficult for abortion to be carried out.

The Acting Minister for Health (Mr Yeo Cheow Tong): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the primary role of abortion is to prevent the birth of an unwanted child, whether it is for medical or social reason. Abolition of abortion will not change an unwanted conception into a wanted one. It will not increase the birth rate but only drive the woman to seek illegal and unsafe means of terminating her unwanted pregnancy.

Sir, we have introduced Abortion Counselling and already it has shown some positive results. We will continue to closely monitor the abortion situation.

Mr Chiam See Tong: I have been informed that in the past a newly pregnant woman could just walk into Kandang Kerbau Hospital and ask on demand for an abortion by paying a fee of $5. Is this still the case?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Sir, under this counselling programme that we have introduced, a woman who has been counselled will now be required to undergo the viewing of a videotape titled Abortion - Decide with Care. And the message there is reinforced with a pamphlet and is further reinforced by personal counselling by a counsellor that has been trained by the Ministry.

Abortion is not allowed to be performed on the first visit. It can only be performed 24 hours after the counselling.

Mr Chiam See Tong: It would appear that steps have been taken by the Government to give counsel to those who intend to abort, the purpose of which is to discourage them from going through with the abortion. So why is the Government so reluctant to amend the law? If it does not want to abolish abortion, why is it so reluctant to amend the law?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Sir, our aim is to make sure that every child that is born in Singapore is a wanted child. This way the mother even while carrying the foetus will make sure that she has mother even while carrying the foetus will make sure that she has the proper nourishment and that she looks after her pregnancy properly, so that when the child is born he will be a healthy child. Furthermore, the family will then be able to give the proper support, nourishment, grooming, upbringing to ensure that the child grows up into a useful citizen of Singapore. So the main aim must be that we have children that are wanted children.

Dr Lee Siew-Choh: Since abortion and sterilization is charged only $5/- each , how is it that the third, the fourth and the fifth child are charged exorbitant fees?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: He is referring to the accouchement fee. Those are two different things.

Dr Lee Siew-Choh: Not different, Sir. Abortion is $5. Fees for fourth baby, $1,300. I am asking: why the difference?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Sir, I have explained to the House several times that the accouchement fees for the high order births are higher because the point must be made that having children carries along with it some expenses, and that those families who opt for a larger number of children must be able to afford to bring up these children.