Feb 24 • 12:36 UTC 🇵🇱 Poland Oko.press

Lela is weakening, vomits blood, and repeats that she has someone to live for. She awaits doctors' approval for an abortion

A pregnant woman, Lela, is seeking an abortion due to severe health complications in a Polish hospital where her request has been delayed despite critical conditions.

Lela, a patient at the Voivodeship Specialist Hospital in Olsztyn, Poland, is experiencing severe medical complications during her pregnancy, including persistent vomiting and the threat of esophageal perforation. She is currently in her 15th week of pregnancy and is suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum as well as type I diabetes. Despite the grave significance of her medical condition, which has led to anxiety disorders, her request for an abortion has not been fulfilled for over a month. Health professionals advocate for what they describe as a life-saving procedure to be conducted as soon as possible.

Lela, originally from Georgia, resides in Poland with her husband, who found work in the country. Communication barriers complicate her situation as she does not speak Polish, which may affect her ability to advocate for herself in the healthcare system. She has been intermittently hospitalized since late December 2025 as her health has deteriorated. Each hospital stay has provided only temporary improvements, resulting in her being readmitted shortly thereafter, signaling systemic issues within the medical response to her case.

The delays in her abortion procedure raise serious ethical and medical concerns, particularly as the healthcare team's obstetrician has cited comprehensive medical documentation supporting Lela's dire situation. Activists and healthcare workers stress the need for immediate action considering the health risks involved and the woman's clear desire to terminate her pregnancy, emphasizing that medical institutions should prioritize patient welfare in such critical and distressing circumstances.

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