A leading doctor is claiming that most abortions, including botched procedures performed in Jamaica, are done by doctors and not in back-street clinics.

Dr Doreen Brady-West, consultant haematologist and clinical oncologist, charged yesterday that a botched abortion, carried out on Deborah Smith almost 20 years ago, was done by a doctor and that such occurrences take place just as frequently now as they did then.

"This was 20 years ago and this 14-year-old girl knew where to find a doctor to do it; and she didn't go to a woman with a bicycle spoke or a sharp instrument, she went to a doctor," Brady-West said.

Happy

Smith was featured in yesterday's Sunday Gleaner in which she revealed she was happy the abortion was unsuccessful because she would have missed out on a relationship with her daughter Dominique if it had worked.

Brady-West, a pro-life advocate, also noted that Smith's botched abortion has allowed a life to flourish.

"The child has a voice and she proves that all aborted human-beings are created with potential," she said.

However, retired gynaecologist Dr R.E. David Thwaites told The Gleaner yesterday that there remained a need for abortions to be legalised and performed in clinics.

Thwaites, who is also a former chairman of the National Family Planning Board, says he has conducted at least 1,000 abortions in Jamaica.

Problems

He argued yesterday that there are problems with the profession and that some of the doctors who perform abortions might not be trained in doing so.

"If you have reputable government clinics where the procedure can be done, you wouldn't have to go to a general practitioner who may not be a gynaecologist ... and may buy a machine and try to make a quick $20,000 a week."

Thwaites argued that botched operations and the risk of infection could be significantly reduced if the procedure was legalised.

He said doctors could arrange follow-up appointments and consultations with patients to ensure the procedure was successful without reproach from the law.