City body of doctors opposes amending MTP Act, writes to health ministry

Apart from this, the Indian Medical Association, Punjab chapter, has already expressed objection to the proposal of amendment to the MTP Act.

However, a debate has begun between the members of IMA, LOGS, homeopaths and the ayurveda doctors as the latter stated that when a simple MBBS doctor can be given permission for medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) after due training, why a BAMS doctor can’t be allowed the same. An MBBS doctor can do MTP till 12 weeks of pregnancy if he/she has done house job of MTP for six months or has worked in a nursing home for about a year. The certified MBBS doctor (from health department) can perform MTP till 12 weeks while from 12-20 weeks, only MD doctors are allowed.

Dr Ravinder Vatsyayan, former member of Central Council of Research in Ayurveda and a senior Ayurvedacharya of the city, said, “Our ayurveda granths give a detailed description about MTP and in South India, it is well accepted. When a simple MBBS doctor can be allowed to do MTP, why BAMS doctors can’t be allowed as they too are taught everything during their course. And there are several colleges in India which provide masters degree in ayurveda gynae as well. The ayurvedic doctors are equally competent as the allopathy doctors are.”

Another vaidya, Beniprasad, said, “Our ayurveda doctors are competent, they are given the entire information during their studies.”
However, both of them stated that doctors must perform the procedure in pure Ayurveda form. They opposed inclusion of nurses and ANMs as well. “In South India, where Ayurveda is popular, people opt for Ayurveda procedures to get MTPs done or for deliveries as well,” said Dr Gauhar Vatsyayan, a specialist physician in Ayurveda.

Dr Neelam Sodhi, president of LOGS, said, “Though doctors studying Ayurveda and homeopathy streams are  given complete knowledge not only about MTP but also about deliveries, they lack hands-on training.”

She, however, welcomed the proposal which says that MTP cases can be extended up to 24 weeks in pertinent cases, provided it was done only by qualified doctors.

However, Dr Sudhir Raj, president of the state chapter of Indian Medical Association (IMA), said that inclusion of AYUSH doctors, nurses and ANMs in the proposed MTP Act would be a retrograde step. Dr Sodhi, however, added, “Why efforts are not being made to train the ANMs, nurses in contraception techniques? It will definitely lessen the burden on government exchequer and public pocket with the added advantage of a healthier society.”