Pregnant teenager with leukemia dies

Santo Domingo.- A young womanin the early stages of pregnancy known only as Esperanza died early thismorning at the SEMMA clinic where she had been receiving chemotherapy for leukemia.

The treatment had been delayed amid fears that doctors would be prosecuted for provoking an abortion. Her family, her doctors and the Minister of Health as well as women’s rights campaigners all agreed that her life should be put first.

The 16-year old patient’s healthhad deteriorated in the last couple of weeks because her platelets and whitecell count had decreased, and the family and medical team had appealed fordonors, said Dr. Mario Lama.

The Esperanza case provoked national debate because of thechemotherapy she needed and the possible effects on the fetus in a countrywhere abortion is illegal in all cases.

The teenager was hospitalized on July 4.