Medical message boards – only approved by doctors. The bill comes after the mysterious birth posters that appeared in Bucharest
A deputy proposes the introduction of a new rule for messages of a medical nature displayed in public space. The legislative initiative would provide that any public sign that contains “tips” to be approved by the College of Physicians or a specialized medical association, before receiving approval from the local authorities. The initiative comes as a result of the billboards that littered Bucharest, through which expectant mothers are advised to inquire about the benefits of natural birth, to the detriment of cesarean operations.
A deputy proposes the introduction of a new rule for messages of a medical nature. PHOTO: Facebook
The draft law also stipulates the obligation to display the name of the person or entity that finances such advertising campaigns, in order to increase transparency in the public space.
The announcement was made by deputy Corina Atanasiu, who claims that the initiative comes as a reaction to the proliferation of misleading medical messages promoted on billboards.
“After Easter, I will submit a draft law by which no medical “advice” can be displayed on public billboards without the mayor's office, which issues the approvals according to the law, obtaining approval from the College of Doctors or from the professional medical association. Also, that a box with the promoter's name must appear on any billboard, so that we too can see who is behind these absolutely unconscious campaigns.” wrote Corina Atanasiu on Facebook.
The parliamentarian gave the example of a billboard that erroneously claims that “through caesarean section, the lack of dilations and contractions is genetically transmitted from mother to daughter”, a statement that it categorizes as false and without scientific basis. It warns that such messages can create anxiety among expectant parents and influence risky medical decisions.
“Someone is paying a lot of money to spread anxiety and false information about C-section among future parents. C-section is a medical procedure that does not transmit anything genetically from the mother to the fetus. It is a procedure that is decided by the doctor and the future mother.” the deputy sent.
It also referred to tragic cases where birth misinformation may have contributed to wrong medical decisions and severe complications.
“We can't string the hatred of science and the desire to manipulate the less equipped minds on all the fences. Because that translates into dead women. And so, the online has provided the perfect stage for all the ignoramuses and charlatans.” argues the deputy.
The panels do not provide any information about the authors of the campaign and do not include any link to an official website or source. This has led many to wonder who is actually behind them.
