Contrasting views on stem cell research in the Czech Republic and Hungary; are Poland’s tough abortion laws putting women’s lives at risk?; do Slovak doctors ignore their own code of ethics, and can this be changed by new legislation?, and hospices in Slovenia – seeking a dignified way of dying

A Polish woman who was refused an abortion despite doctors' warnings that giving birth could damage her eyesight has taken Poland to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. She claims that the country failed to protect her rights under its strict abortion law. Poland has one of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe, and abortions are only very rarely approved. Iwona Lejman looks at the ethical issues confronting Poland's doctors:

Health care workers have been stirring up public debate having gone into their first major strike in history, leaving several hospitals with emergency care only. The strike could be called a success as poorly paid health workers will get a 20% salary increase. But wages are only part of the story. Big changes are being made to Slovakia's health sector with the reformers describing patients as customers. Katerina Richterova looks into the ethics of health care in a system undergoing dramatic change:

The Slovenian Hospice is a non-governmental, non-profit humanitarian organisation caring for patients - and the families of patients - facing a life-threatening illness. It tries to meet the physical, emotional, and social needs of the person who is dying and of their loved ones. It's a free service and helps people at home or in hospital. Ksenija Samardzija-Matul visited the hospice in Slovenia's second largest city - Maribor:

Experts believe over two billion people suffer from diseases that may eventually be treated - or even cured - with stem cells. These include heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. But research in this field is often impeded by ethical concerns. Sandor Laczko of Radio Budapest looks at the situation in Hungary: