With the ever increasing need for an organisation to act on behalf of thousands
of medical professionals, establishing morals and ethics based on sound science
and conscience on medical issues, Doctors For Life was founded in 1991. It was
during this time that the efforts to legalise abortion on demand, lead to a court
case where DFL appealed and rendered evidence opposing this Act. The largest known
survey ever conducted with SA Health Professionals, revealed that approximately
80% of SA doctors were apposed to the legalisation of abortion. Although the abortion
bill was eventually passed, one clause in the Act (as a result of DFLís input
in 1991) still grants medical professionals the right to choose not to participate
in any part of this procedure. DFL has continued its involvement in issues and
projects that protect, encourage and warn the public against information, programmes
or laws that are in contrast to sound science. Everyone is entitled to his own
opinion, but not his own facts. At Doctors For Life we deal with facts and scientific
opinions that are based on empirically verifiable facts.
Some achievements of DFL are:
DFL held a conference on Euthanasia after which we submitted a proposed
law to the SA Law Commission who wanted to - 1999. Today Euthanasia is still
illegal.
Opposed the acceptance of Traditional Healing as a medical profession by
submitting evidence to The Parliamentary Committee on Traditional Healers
and The Health Care System - 1998
Co-founder of National Alliance for Life - 1999
Rendering medical evidence in two 2 Constitutional Court cases, opposing
possible decriminalisation of Prostitution in SA ‚ evidence lead to victory
keeping prostitution illegal - 1997
Rendering medical evidence opposing the possible legalisation and decriminalisation
of Dagga (marijuana) - victory was gained, keeping the use of dagga (marijuana)
illegal 2000
Submissions to the SA Law commission regarding new suggestions for new acts
e.g. Euthanasia 1999, Child Care act 2002Traditional healing 1999 and homosexuality
2004.
Today we have over a 1000 members from the medical profession.
DFL Departments Development and Growth:
Establishing a division, Life Child, which cares for AIDS orphans. Today
we have 27 different centres across South Africa
Counselling thousands of people over the years: two 24 Hour help lines offers
counselling on issues. which include drug abuse, AIDS, and abortion.
DFL was one of the first organisations to start Home and Community Based
Terminal Care training in SA due to inpatient loads? at hospitals. Over 1500
people have been trained nation wide.
DFL has its own video and audio producing department: Orison Pictures
DFL has conducted Industrial AIDS programmes for companies like PANNAR,
The Free State Gold Mines, ESKOM, ATKV resorts etc.
Making affordable medicines available to Sub-Saharan African countries.
Producing an anti-malarial capsule Malarlife.
Initiated 11th Hour Counselling which offers free pre and post abortion
counselling and training across SA
Aid to Africa: Initiating medical outreaches to Sub-Saharan African Countries.
DFL is in the process of building its first clinic in Mozambique and a mobile
clinic - 2000
Conclusion: Today DFL continues to bring together medical professionals
to uphold the three basic principles (which is set out in our constitution), while
protecting the right of conscientious objection in the medical profession. DFL
has gone and will go further than the latter statement aiming to impart any information
that could protect society and individuals from harm whether it be physical or
psychological.
