Denmark begins compensation payments in Greenland spiral case

Denmark has awarded the first four women compensation in the Greenland spiral case, DR reports. Each woman will receive 300,000 kroner after Danish doctors inserted contraceptive devices in thousands of Greenlandic women, in many cases without their knowledge or consent.

One of the recipients is Uullat Bach, who has spoken publicly for several years about how a Danish doctor gave her a spiral that damaged her ovaries.

“Recognition means a lot to me,” Bach wrote in a text message to DR.

Health Minister Ida Auken, who is in Greenland this week, said the first decisions marked an important step.

“The law came into force two days ago, and we have already made the first four decisions, so we can begin paying compensation,” she said.

“It is absolutely crucial. They deserve an end to this case. We have waited far, far too long.”

Although the compensation scheme came into force on September 1, 2026, women have been able to apply since July 1. The Patient Compensation Association can therefore already decide the first cases.

At least 342 women have applied so far, and the number is expected to rise. The Patient Compensation Association expects it to take about three months to decide each case, although the time may vary.

Bach said she understood why some Danish taxpayers might question why they should pay compensation, but added that the state was responsible.

“I can understand that. Why should they pay for something the state did? But who else should?” she said.

The Patient Compensation Association is responsible for administering the scheme and informing and advising the women involved. From next week, it will hold information meetings at Greenlandic houses in Odense, Aalborg, Aarhus and Copenhagen.

In October, the association will also travel through northern and western Greenland. A further tour of eastern Greenland and Nuuk is planned for the spring. The team will meet women where they live, explain the scheme and offer help with applications.

For Bach, the compensation is a small plaster on a large wound. She will never have the children and grandchildren she had dreamed of, she said.

She plans to use the money to continue working with her art. Bach wants to have some of her designs printed and hopes to start a small business selling her work.

She said this would allow money from a period she would rather forget to be used to create something positive.