‘Better Act implementation will curb foeticide’

While the committee members were unanimous in their view of better implementation of the MTP Act of 1972 there was a clear divide on the issue of documentation and monitoring of second trimester abortions. Abortion is permitted under the MTP Act till the 12th week of pregnancy.

Dr Oak,Dr Shashank Parulekar,HoD of obstetrics and gynaecology department at KEM Hospital and Dr Piyush Goyal from Wadia Hospital believed that evidence regarding sex of the abortus should be documented by taking a digital image. “The registered medical practitioner must maintain this recorded evidence. This will defer them from performing sex-based abortions,” said Oak.

However,other committee members objected to this and said abortion providers must not be isolated as this would reduce access to safe abortions. In 2007,an analysis highlighted that most civil and district hospitals refrain from performing second trimester abortions out of fear of investigation.

The committee also highlighted the issue of illegal over- the-counter sale and consumption of abortion drugs. “It is illegal for pharmacists to provide abortion pills without prescription. However,this a fairly common occurrence in India,” said Oak.

The state currently allows a combination of drugs which even after prescription must be consumed within seven weeks of pregnancy. Only doctors who are duly qualified under the MTP Act,1971,can prescribe these drugs.

“This is an important issue that we are most likely to take up. Open sale of these drugs must be stopped and even licenced providers must be monitored,” said Health Minister Suresh Shetty. He added that the report will soon be forwarded to the Centre.

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