‘Abortion could have saved dentist’s life,’ inquest hears

Savita Halappanavar died from septicaemia and a rare strain of E.coli

Savita Halappanavar, the Indian dentist who died after a miscarriage in an Irish hospital, would probably still be alive if a termination had been carried out before there was a substantial risk to her life, an expert witness has said.

Obstetrician Dr Peter Boylan told an inquest in Galway that Ms Halappanavar, who died from septicaemia and a rare strain of E.coli, was ill enough by 6.30am on the morning of 24 October to justify an abortion, but he believed a killer infection was already in her system.

“The real problem was the inability to terminate prior to Ms Halappanavar developing a risk to her life,” he said. The senior doctor also said there were deficiencies elsewhere in Ms Halappanavar’s care. The hearing continues.