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New Indian Express
13 hours ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Abortions in Kerala rise 76% over nine years
KOLLAM: Kerala has recorded an over 76% jump in abortion cases over a nine-year period, given the improved access to reproductive healthcare, according to data with the Health Management Information System (HMIS) portal. The state reported 30,037 abortions in 2023-24, compared to 17,025 in 2014-15, marking a 76.43% increase. In the latest period, 21,282 abortions were conducted in private hospitals, while government hospitals accounted for only 8,755 cases, indicating a growing reliance on private healthcare facilities. The data includes both spontaneous and induced abortions. In 2023-24, the state reported 20,179 induced abortions and 9,858 spontaneous abortions. In 2014-15, abortion procedures were almost evenly split between public and private hospitals, with 8,324 and 8,701 cases respectively. However, since 2015-16, private hospitals have consistently recorded a higher share of cases. From 2015-16 to 2024-25, Kerala reported a total of 1,97,782 abortion cases, of which only 67,004 were in government hospitals. Private hospitals accounted for 1,30,778 cases during this period. The report also noted a steady rise in induced abortions over the period under under review, reflecting better access to reproductive healthcare. Health experts, however, express concern over the increasing dependence on private hospitals and stress the need to strengthen the public health sector. Speaking to TNIE, Dr Leema, senior gynaecologist at the Women and Children Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, said more patients now prefer private institutions due to better facilities and enhanced privacy. 'Medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) is a high-risk procedure,' said Leema. 'It is high time govt invested in better infra' 'Under the MTP (Amendment) Act, 2021, the permissible abortion limit has been extended from 20 to 24 weeks. Most women seeking abortions today are aware of their rights. They trust private hospitals for better operational care, post-procedure support, and, importantly, privacy — something often lacking in government institutions. Women today don't want to take risks with their lives and naturally lean towards private care,' she said. Dr Pandu R, senior gynaecologist at Kannur MCH, said it is high time the government invested in better infrastructure to regain public trust.
The Hindu
19-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Five-year-old battles rabies in Kerala's Kannur; jackal attack adds to scare
A five-year-old boy from Tamil Nadu who was bitten by a stray dog in Payyambalam in Kannur, Kerala, on May 31, has been diagnosed with rabies and is in a critical condition on a ventilator at the Kannur Government Medical College Hospital (MCH). The boy sustained bites on the eye and leg near S.N Park. Although he was vaccinated immediately, doctors said the facial wounds allowed the virus to reach the brain. The doctors said he was given three dose of vaccination at the Kannur government hospital and later referred to the MCH. Further test results will take time to come, the hospital authorities added. Family files complaint The family has filed a formal complaint following the diagnosis. Stray dog attacks continue to plague Kannur city. On Wednesday, 20 people were bitten in areas around the Thavakkara bus stand, Prabhat Junction, the railway station and the nearby plaza. In the last two days, nearly 80 people have been bitten in the city. Jackal attack In another incident on Wednesday, two women in Thottta Keezhunnappapara after being bitten by Indian gold jackal. One of the victims reportedly lost a finger. Both women were initiatially taken to the Kannur District Hospital and later shifted to the Kannur MCH for specialised treatment. The Jackal remains untraced. Amid growing public concern over repeated stray dog attacks, Kannur district panchayat president K.K. Rathnakumari has called for the establishment of shelter homes as a viable solution. 'Stray dogs cannot be completely eliminated due to existing Claws prohibiting culling. However, shifting them to shelter homes through the Corporation is a feasible alternative,' she said, urging the Kannur Corporation to promptly establish Animal Birth Control centres. She clarified that the district panchayat's role is limited to sterilisation through the ABC programme to control the stray dog population. However, she noted that ABC centres alone cannot fully resolve the issue and stressed the importance of coordination from local bodies. A sterilisation calendar has been prepared, and stray dogs can only be captured if nodal officers at the panchayat level identify and report them.
