Greek PM on assisted reproduction bill: Care for the few uplifts the many

The Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, intervened in the Parliament during the discussion of the Ministry of Health Bill “Reforms to medically assisted reproduction”.

The prime minister initially stated that he regrets that main opposition SYRIZA chose once again to hide behind a vote of “present” despite agreeing with most of the provisions.

The prime minister decried the lack of consensus, and noted that with this bill tens of thousands of couples are given the possibility to give birth safely and away from nebulous and often dangerous methods.

Changes under the new bill

With the draft law, all the procedures for assisted reproduction are determined, while shutting off recourse to foreign clinics that interested parties, who did not meet the past law’s criteria, used until now.

The prime minister also spoke about a second change regarding the cryopreservation of eggs, as before spousal consent was required for such a procedure. The current bill allows no such sanctions.

The prime minister referred not only to the modernization of the legal framework but also to the abolition of discrimination against certain groups of citizens, like those who are HIV-positive ‘

“The PM also referred to the new law’s provision for operations on intersex people which will now be allowed from the age of 15 onwards and as long as the people themselves wish for it. Mr. Mitsotakis stressed that he regretted the mistakes of the past, while he realized how important the initiatives are.

Free mammograms and cervical cancer screening

“The time has come to look at the truths that are taking shape today. Caring for the few ultimately upgrades the many,” the prime minister noted, saying that 100,000 invitations to female citizens have already been sent and the first 4,000 mammograms have already been carried out in public and private facilities.

Regarding the possibility of free screening for cervical cancer, Mr. Mitsotakis added that these tests can be done in any public or private structure and these women will be personally notified by message.

Long lasting social interventions

According to the PM it is clear that these social interventions have a duration, move on many parallel levels and foster social cohesion.

The prime minister insisted that this bill tests the political view and radicalization of parties. “In its essence, the bill weighs the sensitivity of all of us. These regulations put the country on the path of developed countries. We are proving that we are a government of progress and we will stay on the path of bold changes. So I ask the opposition to re-evaluate its position and to change its position from “present” to “yes”.