After several months of consultations, analyzes and work, the Law on the Law on Rights, Liabilities and Responsibility of Patients in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which opened the right to accompany the entire delivery, is legally guaranteed.
The proposed amendment aims to ensure that all women in the Federation of BiH provide the legal right to the presence of a person, by their own choice, throughout the birth process, including birth to the imperial cut under spinal anesthesia.
– This is fully in line with the recommendations of international professional associations (WHO, ACOG, RCOG, Nice) as well as with a guide for intrapartral care of the Federal Ministry of Health. The right to accompany may not be denied, except when there are clearly documented and professionally reasoned medical indications, in accordance with international guidelines and good clinical practice – cite from the “Baby Steps” association.
This step of many years of recommendation of domestic and international institutions finally get a form of binding legal norms, which removes the pastly arbitration of hospitals and ensures equal treatment of all FBiH.
– This proposal is the result of broad political support, and representatives of position and opposition, which shows that the issue of dignified childhood goes to political divisions and represents a priority of general social interest. The “Baby Steps” Association is grateful to all representatives who recognized the importance of that topic and jointly stood behind the proposal because a dignified childbirth is the issue of human rights, not politics. We owe special gratitude to the women who bravely shared their experiences and thus gave the strength to persist in advocating that right.
Enabling accompaniment during childbirth is one of the key measures to improve birth experience, the prevention of obstetric violence, reducing space for corruption in maternity hospitals, but also an extremely important pronital policy. We believe that all other representatives, regardless of party affiliation, will recognize the importance of this amendment and support it in debate and voting, because it is a public interest and protection of women’s rights. The Baby Steps Association will continue to watch the process videously and report regularly. Our goal remains the same: safe, dignified and supported birth for every woman in BiH – stand out, writes Factor.
