The Minister of Health intends to introduce the Sterilisation Amendment Bill, 2004 (the Sill,')inParliamentin 2004. The full text of the Bill is hereby published in accordance with rule 241(c) of the Rules of the National Assembly.
The Bill will amend the Sterilisation Act, 1998 (Act No.
The full text, as certified, is attached.
in type in square indicate from existing enactments. Words underlined with a solid line indicate insertions in existing enactments.
To amend the Sterilisation Act, 1998, so as to substitute a definition; to make provisionfor a medical opinion in certaincircumstances; to providefor additional information to be consideredwhen contemplating sterilisation; and to provide for matters connected therewith.
Amendment of section 1 of Act 44 of 1998 1.
"(a) Sterilisation may [not] be performed on aperson who is under the age of 18 years [except where] E failuretodo so would jeopardizethe person's life or seriously impair his or\,her [physical] health."
and an indeDendent medical practitioner who has previouslv consulted with the person to be sterilised. has Drovided a written opinion to the effect that sterilisation is in the best interestof that person.
whether there [is no] are other safe and effective [method] alternatives [of contraception except] & sterilisation; the person's mental and phvsical health and wellbeinq; (Iv) thepotential effect of sterilisation on the person's mental end ohKi, cal health and wellbeinq; &J the nature of the sterilisation procedure to be performed?
whether the sterilisation is in the best interests of the person to be steri1ised;a (v111) the benefit which the person mav derived from sterilisation, concurs that sterilisation may be performgd; and 'I.
Amendment of section 4 of Act 44 of 1998 4.
"(c) understood and signed theprescribed consent form.".