Latest news with #MedicalTerminationofPregnancy
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
‘Awareness of PCPNDT Act key to reducing female foeticide'
Madurai: Health department staff including gynaecologists and radiologists are often not well-versed with the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act due to which they face various legal issues, said Dr J Rajamoorthy, Director of Medical and Rural Health Services (DMS). He was speaking at a special meeting and training workshop for health department staff of Madurai and five other southern districts here on Wednesday. "It also leads to female foeticide . In some districts like Dharmapuri and Salem, the sex ratio is such that there are much fewer girls than boys. Steps taken because of this act have greatly helped reduce female foeticide in recent times," he added. He said awareness among public and health staff about the Act is key to reducing female foeticide and improving sex ratio at birth. Experts highlighted the legal provisions and their importance in preventing prevalence of quackery as well. The workshop was part of an initiative announced in the assembly by the health minister Ma Subramanian to create awareness and educate health department staff on PCPNDT Act and bring down female foeticide. On the discreet or symbolic methods being used by scan centres to reveal the sex of unborn foetus, the DMS said practising doctors can face punishments in case of violations even if the patient was willing. Dr K Senthil, state president, TNGDA, elaborated on Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act as well. Dr R Selvaraj, JDHS, Madurai, Dr L Arul Sundaresh Kumar, dean, Madurai Medical College, and officials and staff from Dindigul, Theni, Ramanathapuram, Sivanganga, and Virudhunagar districts were present. A handbook on PCPNDT Act was released and distributed to all participants.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh: STF orders chargesheet against 2 senior doctors for dip in sex ratio
The special task force (STF) of the Haryana health department, set up to improve the state's sex ratio, on Tuesday decided to chargesheet the former chief medical officer (CMO) of Charkhi Dadri, Dr Rajvinder Malik, for 'persistent non-performance' in duties related to sex ratio monitoring, a government spokesperson said. Directions were also issued for a similar action against Dr M Nehra, officiating SMO of CHC-Gopi, Bhiwani, due to low sex ratio in his jurisdiction. The STF meeting held here focused on intensifying the Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao campaign. (HT Photo) The STF meeting held here focused on intensifying the Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao campaign and increasing efforts to curb illegal abortions and further improving the state's sex ratio at birth (SRB), which stood at 906 girls per 1,000 males on June 23 against the annual SRB of 910 recorded in December 2024. The STF, headed by additional chief secretary (ACS-Health) Sudhir Rajpal, also directed close monitoring of 'SAHELIs' associated with pregnant women, especially in cases where abortions have been reported. The spokesperson said that the ACS (health) ordered strict surveillance of community health centres (CHCs) and instructed that senior medical officers' (SMOs) accountability be fixed in areas where illegal abortions are being reported. The STF also ordered cancellation of the registration of an AYUSH doctor in Kharkhoda, Sonipat, against whom an FIR has been filed over illegal abortion practices. The ACS (health) further directed that any woman arriving at a hospital with bleeding symptoms must undergo reverse tracking and be tested for consumption of Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) pills. 'If any violation of the law is detected, appropriate legal action must be taken without delay,' Rajpal said. Between June 17 and June 23, at least 28 inspections were carried out across the state to check the illegal sale of MTP kits. One shop was sealed and two FIRs were registered. The number of wholesalers selling MTP kits has come down from 32 to 3, and a significant decline in MTP kit sales was reported in 15 districts. The ACS directed officials to ramp up raids on ultrasound and MTP centres and increase birth registration drives, particularly in Charkhi Dadri district, where targeted interventions are needed. He also emphasised the need to expand the 'Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao' campaign to urban areas. Officials were instructed to identify SAHELIs who have played a key role in ensuring the successful delivery of girl children. These SAHELIs will be incentivised by the respective CMOs to recognise their efforts and encourage greater community participation in this important cause.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Bombay HC allows 31-yr-old woman to terminate her 25-week pregnancy
The Bombay High Court has permitted a 31-year-old woman to terminate her 25-week pregnancy from a consensual relationship after her partner refused her support. The court said she could get the procedure done at a hospital of her choice. Observing that the petitioner was 'left in lurch by her own circumstances as well as refusal of her partner to offer support or assistance to her in any manner, despite being an active participant in bringing about the present situation', the court said the petitioner was 'naturally apprehensive about social stigma and facing her own parents, who may not be supportive in the circumstances'. The HC also asked her ex-partner to give Rs 1 lakh to the petitioner for her medical expenses in addition to legal expenses and accompany her to the hospital, if she so desired and remain with her during the procedure. A division bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Neela K Gokhale on June 19 passed an order on the plea by the woman unwilling to continue with the pregnancy. The petitioner woman had submitted that she was in a consensual relationship with her partner and the pregnancy occurred due to failure of a contraceptive device. She also submitted that she was no longer in the said relationship. On June 13, the HC had directed the medical board of state-run JJ Hospital to examine the petitioner. The expert who conducted her psychiatric evaluation found that the petitioner had a history of sadness and stress due to financial constraints and inter-personal conflicts along with a history of alcohol consumption and smoking. The Board unanimously found her fit to undergo the procedure under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act. The petitioner, through advocate Nikita Raje, sought termination of her pregnancy and argued that she has no financial or emotional support to carry the pregnancy to its full term. The continuation of the same would hamper her mental health due to anguish of her situation, Raje added. The petitioner also informed the court that she had quit her job a few months ago and today, instead of looking for a new job, she was required to run from pillar to post to consult doctors to terminate her pregnancy. The HC noted that as per the report, the petitioner has a history of illness and her parents/family was not aware of the pregnancy. As per petitioner, if her parents learn about the same, they would not accept it, 'leaving her in a complete lurch to fend for herself'. After interacting with the petitioner in the chamber, the judges noted that she appeared to be 'extremely disturbed, having to face these challenges'. The bench noted that petitioner had made 'conscious decision to terminate pregnancy' and the judges ascertained that she made the 'choice of her own free will'. The HC considered past Supreme Court verdicts, petitioner's right to reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy, findings of the medical board related to her psychological condition. 'We are satisfied that continuance of the pregnancy shall adversely affect the already disturbed psychological condition of the petitioner. Hence, in the peculiar facts of this case, we permit the petitioner to medically terminate the pregnancy,' the court held and allowed the woman's plea.
Hindustan Times
18-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Haryana to shoots off notices on 393 anganwadi workers over illegal abortions
Haryana health department on Tuesday decided to issue show-cause notices to 393 anganwadi workers whose areas reported cases of illegal abortions, involving pregnant women who already had one or more daughters. The decision was taken during a review meeting chaired by additional chief secretary (health) Sudhir Rajpal, who assessed the progress of the ongoing campaign against illegal abortions, illegal sex determination tests and misuse of Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) kits. A government spokesperson said that these anganwadi workers were assigned as SAHELIs (companions) to provide counselling and support to expectant mothers with daughters, under a targeted monitoring programme. The show-cause notices were recommended due to their failure to prevent or report illegal abortions in their designated areas. The SAHELI initiative, part of the state's strategy to combat female foeticide, assigns an ASHA or anganwadi worker to monitor and support each pregnant woman who already has one or more daughters. Over 50,000 such women are currently being tracked across the state by civil surgeons and health officials. Rajpal directed the women and child development department to take immediate action against the negligent workers and to intensify efforts to prevent sex-selective practices. He also ordered strict surveillance of all MTP and ultrasound centres to curb illegal sex determination and abortion procedures. The ACS also called for 100% registration of births, especially in districts like Mewat, Gurugram, Palwal and Faridabad, where underreporting of child birth is common. He also instructed deputy chief medical officers to organise birth registration camps in slum areas and mobilise inter-district inspection teams to investigate any complaints of illegal abortions or sex selection. Officials were also asked to actively involve NGOs, ASHA workers, panchayati raj representatives and community leaders in promoting the 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' campaign, aimed at improving the status of girl children in the state.
The Hindu
14-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
How should sexual abuse survivors be treated?
The story so far: The Delhi High Court recently issued a series of guidelines to streamline procedures in hospitals handling Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) cases involving sexual assault survivors, after finding that miscommunication, and administrative lapses had resulted in the denial of timely medical care to a minor rape survivor. What was the case? Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma issued the guidelines while adjudicating upon the plea of a 17-year-old rape survivor who had been taken to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, for medical examination and termination of pregnancy. Although accompanied by a police officer following the registration of an FIR, hospital authorities initially refused to conduct an ultrasound, citing the absence of identity documents. The matter was then referred to the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), which directed the hospital to proceed with the termination and submit a status report. However, the hospital continued to insist on identity proof and age verification through an ossification test. The ultrasound was eventually carried out after a CWC member personally intervened. By that time, the minor was found to be approximately 25 weeks and 4 days pregnant. The hospital then declined to convene a medical board, contending that a court order was required as the pregnancy appeared to exceed the 24-week statutory limit prescribed under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971. Following the court's intervention, a seven-member medical board was finally constituted at AIIMS to assess the feasibility of terminating the pregnancy. After conducting an ultrasound, the board determined that the gestational age of the foetus was 23 weeks and 4 days, and that the survivor was physically and mentally fit to undergo the procedure. This contradicted the hospital's earlier record, which had put the gestational age at 25 weeks and 4 days. The court noted with anguish that no explanation was provided for this discrepancy. What directions were issued to hospitals? The court observed that when an investigating officer presents a sexual assault survivor for medical examination, along with the official case file and FIR details, separate identity verification may be dispensed with. It further stressed that in cases involving minors, procedural safeguards applicable to routine diagnostic cases should not be applied rigidly or mechanically. Justice Sharma directed that in all cases where a rape or sexual assault survivor is found to be pregnant, a comprehensive medical examination must be conducted without delay. In instances where the gestational age appears to exceed 24 weeks, hospital administrations were instructed to immediately constitute a medical board to conduct the necessary examination and submit a status report to the appropriate authorities without awaiting specific court orders. Hospitals were also directed to ensure that updated Standard Operating Procedures and relevant legal guidelines are readily accessible in both Emergency and Gynaecology Departments, and that duty doctors are regularly briefed and sensitised on their obligations under the MTP Act, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and other binding directives issued by the Supreme Court and High Courts. The court further mandated that quarterly training programmes be organised for doctors and medical staff in coordination with legal aid bodies such as the Delhi State Legal Services Authority and the Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee (DHCLSC). Each government hospital was also directed to designate a nodal officer to oversee MTP cases and related medico-legal processes, serving as a single point of contact for the CWC, investigating officers, and the courts. Additionally, consent for MTP procedures was to be obtained from the survivor or her guardian, in a language they fully comprehend, such as Hindi or English. What was the Delhi police instructed to do? The court directed the Delhi Police to ensure that investigating officers handling POCSO and sexual assault cases undergo mandatory training every six months, with a focus on MTP procedures, court orders, and coordination with medical and welfare authorities. Certificates of completion are to be duly recorded in the officers' service files. Police officers were also instructed to ensure that sexual assault survivors are presented before the concerned doctor, hospital, or medical board at the earliest opportunity, along with all requisite case files. What were the guidelines issued earlier? On April 17, Justice Sharma issued guidelines for CWCs and the DHCLSC to prevent delays in such cases, while hearing a plea involving a minor sexual assault survivor seeking termination of a pregnancy beyond 27 weeks. She directed that whenever a minor survivor with a gestational age exceeding 24 weeks is referred by the CWC to a hospital for examination or termination, the CWC must immediately notify the DHCLSC. Upon receiving such information, the DHCLSC shall promptly assess the need for legal intervention, including approaching the competent court for permission to terminate the pregnancy, so as to avoid further delay. Earlier, in January 2023, the judge mandated that during the medical examination of a sexual assault survivor, a urine pregnancy test must be conducted. If the survivor is found pregnant and is an adult seeking termination, the investigating officer must ensure that she is presented before the medical board on the same day. State governments were also ordered to ensure that medical boards are constituted in the hospitals.
