logo
BHU holds a health awareness session on safe use of MTP kits and adolescent wellbeing

BHU holds a health awareness session on safe use of MTP kits and adolescent wellbeing

Time of India24-04-2025

Representative Image
VARANASI: The Sathiya Kendra at the
Institute of Medical Sciences
, Banaras Hindu University (
BHU
), in collaboration with Mamta Health Institute for Mother and Child, New Delhi, and the
National Health Mission
, Uttar Pradesh, organised a crucial awareness session on Wednesday aimed at educating adolescents and youth about key health issues.
The central theme of the session was the misuse of Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) kits among young individuals. Prof. Mamta from the
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
led the programme, cautioning participants about the severe health risks associated with the improper use of MTP kits and emphasising the importance of seeking appropriate medical guidance.
She provided in-depth information regarding the correct usage, recommended dosage, potential side effects, and safety precautions associated with MTP kits. The session also addressed menstrual hygiene, with a strong emphasis on encouraging adolescents to adopt safe and hygienic practices.
Another key topic covered during the session was the significance of
HPV
vaccination in preventing cervical cancer. Participants were urged to consider vaccination as a proactive step toward long-term reproductive health.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Haryana's crackdown on illegal abortions: Drastic drop in sale of pregnancy termination kits shows it's working
Haryana's crackdown on illegal abortions: Drastic drop in sale of pregnancy termination kits shows it's working

Indian Express

time11 hours ago

  • Indian Express

Haryana's crackdown on illegal abortions: Drastic drop in sale of pregnancy termination kits shows it's working

Amid ongoing efforts by Haryana authorities to curb illegal abortions, the sale of MTP (medical termination of pregnancy) kits has seen a sharp decline over the past three months. Compared to the 40,763 kits sold in a fortnight in March, the number has now plummeted to just 470 in the most recent fortnight. Concerned about the state's declining sex ratio—910 girls per 1,000 boys at birth in 2024, the lowest in eight years—authorities have intensified their crackdown on the illegal sale of MTP kits. Along with restricting unauthorised sales, officials are closely monitoring transactions from licensed wholesalers. The state has 32 authorised wholesalers that sell MTP kits to registered MTP centres. Official data shows that between March 1 and 15, Haryana recorded the sale of 40,763 MTP kits, with a staggering 39,000 kits sold in the Sonipat district alone. The trend continued in early April, with 25,721 kits sold between April 1 and 15. However, the numbers declined drastically, with only 1,492 kits sold from April 16 to 28, and further dropping to just 470 between May 27 and June 9. State Drug Controller Manmohan Taneja, speaking to The Indian Express, stated that wholesalers have been instructed to sell MTP kits only to authorised MTP centres and strictly on the recommendation of a registered medical practitioner. 'We have mandated record-keeping for every tablet, and any violations will be dealt with strictly,' Taneja emphasised. During a meeting of the State Task Force (STF) chaired by Haryana's Additional Chief Secretary for Health, Sudhir Rajpal, on Tuesday, officials reported that 29 wholesalers recorded zero sales of MTP kits between June 3-9. In April, Rajpal directed authorities to compile lists of MTP kit wholesalers and their stock, ensuring that sales are restricted exclusively to registered MTP centres. He also ordered inspections of centres conducting MTP procedures on pregnant women with two live girl children, warning that those found guilty of female feticide would face closure. Rajpal further stressed the urgent need for action on show-cause notices issued to MTP centres, urging immediate license cancellations for gynaecologists found complicit in sex-selective abortions. To enforce the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC&PNDT) Act more stringently, the state has either revoked or seen the voluntary withdrawal of registrations for 300 out of 1,500 MTP centres. Officials caution that terminating a pregnancy can be done surgically or with MTP kits, but self-administering these medications without medical supervision poses severe health risks. Illegal MTP kits, according to sources, are worsening sex-selective abortions in Haryana, exacerbating the already skewed sex ratio. Taneja previously explained that an MTP kit consists of five tablets—one mifepristone and four misoprostol—both classified as Schedule-H drugs, meaning a valid prescription from a registered medical practitioner (RMP) is required for purchase. Kit packaging clearly warns: 'To be used only under the direct supervision of a gynaecologist.' Officials anticipate that the impact of recent initiatives will become evident by August-September, leading to an improvement in the sex ratio at birth. For the week of June 3-9 this year, the child sex ratio at birth was recorded at 943 girls per 1,000 boys. During a State Task Force (STF) meeting on May 20, the sex ratio for the preceding week was noted at 922, while on April 10, it stood at 911 girls per 1,000 boys. However, officials involved in the campaign emphasise that these figures reflect temporary fluctuations and suggest waiting a few more months to assess a meaningful and sustained change in the sex ratio at birth. Sukhbir Siwach's extensive and in-depth coverage of farmer agitation against three farm laws during 2020-21 drew widespread attention. ... Read More

Two medicine stores under scanner for ‘illegal' sale of abortion kits in Cuttack
Two medicine stores under scanner for ‘illegal' sale of abortion kits in Cuttack

New Indian Express

time16 hours ago

  • New Indian Express

Two medicine stores under scanner for ‘illegal' sale of abortion kits in Cuttack

CUTTACK: Two medicine stores were on Tuesday allegedly found selling abortion kits illegally, in gross violation of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act-1971. Acting on a tip-off, officials of the Directorate of Drug Control raided around three medicine shops - two in Ranihat and one in Arunoday market. The raids were conducted by assistant drug controllers of Circle-I and Circle-II Dharmadev Puhan and Tushar Ranjan Panigrahi respectively. During the searches, the officials recovered several abortion kits (Mifepristone and Misoprostol combination pack) from two medicine stores, one each in Ranihat and Arunoday localities. 'Though the purchase source of the combined composition packed MTP kits were found to be authentic, the owners of the two medicine stores failed to show the requisite documents that could suggest they were selling the kits with due prescription. We will submit the raid report to the Directorate of Drug Control for issuance of show cause notice and for order on suspension of licence of these two shops in respect of purchase and sale,' said Puhan. The combined composition packed MTP kits should be used within a certain period of gestation at authorised healthcare facilities with the prescription of a gynaecologist as it involves in serious health risk including heavy bleeding and other complications. But, the MTP kits are being sold and used without prescription leading to a rise in maternity mortality, Puhan added. 'Earlier, we had created awareness and now have started carrying out enforcement to curb the illegal sale and use of MTP kits,' he said adding, special focus is on the medicine shops operating near colleges and other educational institutions.

All abortions in last 6 months under govt lens as Gurgaon bottom of SRB table
All abortions in last 6 months under govt lens as Gurgaon bottom of SRB table

Time of India

timea day ago

  • Time of India

All abortions in last 6 months under govt lens as Gurgaon bottom of SRB table

Gurgaon: Haryana govt has directed authorities in four districts with the state's lowest sex-ratio at birth (SRB) – Gurgaon, Palwal, Karnal and Charkhi Dadri – to scrutinise all abortion cases in the past six months to check for any signs of illegal practices. Haryana govt's latest data for Jan-June 2025 ranked Gurgaon at the bottom of the list, with SRB at 855. SRB in Charkhi Dadri was logged at 859, Palwal 874 and Karnal 906. Sex-ratio at birth (SRB) is the count of girls born for every 1,000 boys. Additional chief secretary (health and family welfare) Sudhir Rajpal on Tuesday directed these districts to review all medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) cases, and investigate further if there is any suspicion of pre-natal sex determination. Civil surgeons have been asked to oversee the probe. Rajpal sought reports on abortion cases from senior medical officers (SMOs) deployed at community health centres across Haryana. Disciplinary action was initiated against the SMO of Uttawar in Palwal for dereliction of duty after the state task force identified several lapses in protocol at the facility. Tuesday's orders are the latest in a series of measures announced amidst growing concern over declining SRB in Haryana. In 2024, thirteen out of the state's 22 districts reported a drop in the number of girls born per 1,000 boys, bringing the state's overall SRB down to 910 — the lowest since 2016. Govt has warned doctors that any involvement in pre-natal sex determination or illegal abortions will prompt authorities to cancel their medical licences. Similarly, health department officials have been tasked to identify quacks who pose as doctors and facilitate abortions. Rajpal also directed the deputy commissioners of the four districts to crackdown on illegal abortion centres and halt any unauthorised sale of abortion kits. Chief medical officers and senior health officials will be held accountable if these districts don't improve their SRB, Rajpal said. Govt has told community health workers – in an initiative called 'SAHELI' – to counsel pregnant women against any reluctance to have a girl child. Community health staffers will also be held responsible if illegal abortions are carried out under their watch, the ACS said at the meeting on Tuesday. Districts have been told to take police help for raids at suspected abortion centres. And the ACS on Tuesday issued show-cause notices to DSPs of the four districts for negligence in duty. "Officials have been instructed to track repeat offenders and monitor their activities closely. Additionally, all IVF centres in the state will undergo data revalidation and operational audits to detect and prevent illegal sex selection practices," said Rajpal. According to govt data, recent measures have shown some improvement. Haryana's SRB improved to 943 in the first week of June, from 910 last year. The number of MTP kit wholesalers in Haryana has also dropped to 3, from 32, in the past six weeks.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store