Flensburg's clinic in dispute: abortions only in emergencies!

Flensburg's clinic in dispute: abortions only in emergencies!

What's going on in Flensburg? A heated debate gripped the city after the Protestant Diakonissenanstalt (Diako) and the Catholic hospital merged to form the Fördeklinikum. However, in this new central hospital there will no longer be any abortions for social reasons. This creates significant public and political debate around healthcare in the region. The Catholic Order of Malta, which oversees medical ethics, has decided that abortions are only possible for medical reasons such as a risk to the woman's life. There is a lot of anger in the city about this, as many see it as clear that social reasons for abortion should also be taken into account. These conflicts are blowing up in our face here.

Birte Lohmann, a committed activist, has been fighting vehemently for the continuation of hospital abortions since 2019. She sees the decision as unbalanced and criticizes the Catholic Church's influence on women's rights. This becomes particularly clear when we look at the 1995 contract between the city and Diako, which stipulated that they should help women with unwanted pregnancies. Lohmann is calling for a vigil on the Südermarkt in Flensburg to demonstrate the protest against this regulation.

The role of the city and the supply situation

The city of Flensburg itself is facing challenges. The planned construction of a municipal medical care center (MVZ) failed because responsibility for it lies with the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians and the state of Schleswig-Holstein. In a further step, according to city spokesman Christian Reimers, the city plans to introduce a social fund to offer women financial support for trips to clinics in other cities. While the regional manager of ProFamilia, Reiner Johannsen, denounces the inadequate care for women in the region, it remains unclear how the calls for better solutions will be heard.

A critical point is also that no inpatient abortions have been carried out at the Diako Hospital since 2021, although these are in principle possible. In recent years, only outpatient procedures have been carried out - 77 in 2023 and 32 in 2024. ProFamilia points out that 233 women sought advice last year. This number highlights the significant need for support and medical interventions.

Legal framework and ethical challenges

The abortion law in Germany is not only causing discussions in Flensburg. It is set out in Section 218a of the Criminal Code and allows abortions up to the 12th week without penalty, provided that consultation has taken place beforehand. The complex interplay between conservative and liberal views on the lives and rights of pregnant women is repeatedly visible here. According to the argument that doctors are committed to their ethical beliefs, they are not compelled to act contrary to them, even when the law creates latitudes that raise ethical challenges.

It seems that the Diakonissenanstalt would like to continue to assume responsibility for comprehensive health care in the region. But if the supply conditions are not improved and the churches have the say, the situation is unlikely to ease. Part of the topic is also the discussion about appropriate educational advice, as required by the Pregnancy Conflict Act, in order to do justice to women in emergency situations.

A concept of “Abortion Buddies” was developed to provide voluntary support to affected women. This was approved for three years, but only shows part of the urgently needed action.

Flensburg is at a critical point. Dialogue between the different actors will be crucial in order to find a sustainable solution that meets both the legal requirements and the needs of women in this region. Further talks are planned, but the hope for change is questionable, especially when compromises are difficult to achieve due to entrenched positions. It remains to be hoped that women's voices will be heard in this debate.

For further information and current developments you can read the articles at taz, Deutschlandfunk and Medical Journal read up.