Latest news with #MTP
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
6 Haryana districts see sharp fall in sex ratio at birth
Haryana's battle against gender imbalance has hit a worrying roadblock in six districts—Ambala, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Karnal, Palwal and Sirsa—where the sex ratio at birth (SRB) has plunged by 18 to 35 points in the first seven months of 2025 compared to same period last year, it has emerged. Powers of civil surgeons posted in Ambala, Bhiwani, Sirsa, and Palwal withdrawn over poor performance. (HT) The drop in the SRB comes despite a slew of aggressive steps by the health department at multiple levels to improve the SRB, raising fears that the state's annual SRB may take a hit if the free fall in six districts continues over the next five months. The SRB is a critical indicator of gender equality and a better SRB leads to an improvement in the child sex ratio (CSR). Haryana has been waging a war against gender determination tests, the supply of MTP kits and illegal abortions since February after suffering a setback in 2024 when the state's annual SRB slipped to 910 females births per 1,000 males, a dip of six points from 2023's 916. Though the SRB of 14 districts showed improvement with overall SRB till July 2025 recording 907 girls against 1,000 boys in comparison to 899 during the corresponding period in 2024, the first seven months data of 2025 paints a grim picture of gender imbalance in six districts compared to the same period last year. Alarmed by this latest downward trend, director general health services (DGHS) Dr Munish Bansal on August 8 formally withdrew Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Technique (PC-PNDT) Act powers of civil surgeons posted in Ambala, Bhiwani, Sirsa, and Palwal. '...It has been observed that your performance regarding improvement in sex ratio is not satisfactory and there is a significant decline in sex ratio of your district from January 1, 2025 to July 28, 2025 when compared to last year. Therefore, powers conferred to you vide a November 7, 2013 state government withdrawn and have been granted to the civil surgeon of adjoining district...,' the communication says (HT has a copy). However, eyebrows are being raised over the DGHS's letter under which powers of the Bhiwani civil surgeon were given to the civil surgeons of Charkhi Dadri, a district which is among the worst performers. DGHS Dr Munish Bansal did not respond to phone calls and WhatsApp messages. Sources say the move to clip wings of some civil surgeons was the fallout of July 29 meeting of the state task force (STF) where additional chief secretary (ACS-health) Sudhir Rajpal had directed to de-list private hospitals, medical centres and clinics from empanelment under the Ayushman Bharat scheme and any other government facility in case they are allegedly involved in 'illegal abortions'. 'The ACS-health had also directed to withdraw PC-PNDT Act powers of civil surgeons of Ambala, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Palwal and Sirsa because these districts have performed below expectations and registered a downward trend in sex ratio as compared to last year,' an official said. The latest January to July official figures paint a grim picture of gender imbalance in six districts during the first seven months of 2025 compared to the same period last year. Ambala has taken a hit of 21 points with the SRB coming down to 886 from 907 last year, while Bhiwani slipped 18 points from 927 last year to 909 now. Charkhi Dadri's drop is starker where the SRB came down by 32 points from 886 last year to 854 now. Karnal, once among the better performers, has seen one of the steepest falls, crashing 35 points from 947 in July 2024 to 912 in July 2025. Palwal's SRB has fallen to 885 from 917, a dip of 32 points. Sirsa--touted last year as a success story with 955---has slid 28 points from 955 to 927. On the other hand, the annual 2024 SRB of Ambala was 913, Bhiwani (919), Charkhi Dadri (869), Palwal (909), Karnal (926) and Sirsa (936). 'This slump in six districts raises concern about the effectiveness of the ongoing interventions as evident from the August 5 meeting of the STF when it emerged that in a week (July 25-July 31) at least 72 abortions above 12 weeks of pregnancy were reported from across all 22 districts with the highest 13 abortions detected in Jind, nine in Hisar, six in Faridabad, four each in Charkhi Dadri and Gurugram, and three each in Kaithal, Nuh, Panipat and Sonepat,' a senior health department official said. The state government has hand-picked Haryana Civil Service (HCS) officers, who have been tasked to explore the reason behind the fall in sex ratio of the districts in question and submit a report by August 12.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Abortions based on ‘presumed' mental health injury: HC seeks Centre opinion on plea challenging law
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has sought the Union government's reply to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a 57-year-old Hisar resident challenging the legal provision that allows abortions based on presumed mental health injury without requiring evaluation by a psychiatrist. Deepak Kumar, the petitioner, has sought a declaration that a key clause under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971 — particularly Section 3(2) and Explanation 1 — is unconstitutional. He has contended that the provision violates Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution by allowing gynaecologists to terminate pregnancies on mental health grounds, even though they are not qualified to assess psychological conditions. He has also asked the court to rule that abortions should only be allowed when the life of the woman or the foetus is in immediate danger, not in cases of failed contraception or presumed mental anguish. The PIL, filed through advocates Dr Pankaj Nanhera, Sanchar Anand, Nitin Verma, and Yogesh Vashista, came up for hearing on Wednesday before the division bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry. The bench issued notice to the Union government and fixed the next hearing for September 16. Section 3(2) of the MTP Act allows a registered medical practitioner to terminate a pregnancy if it risks the woman's life or may cause 'grave injury' to her physical or mental health. For pregnancies up to 20 weeks, the opinion of one doctor is sufficient; between 20 and 24 weeks, two doctors must concur for certain categories of women. Explanation 1 to this section presumes that if a pregnancy results from the failure of contraceptive methods, the resulting mental anguish is automatically considered a grave mental health injury, making abortion legally permissible. The PIL argues that: The petitioner contends that these provisions enable abortions in situations that fall outside the core intent of the MTP Act, and that such broad presumptions may undermine fetal rights and open doors to female foeticide. Among other reliefs, Deepak Kumar has requested the court to: The court has admitted the petition and listed it for further hearing on September 16.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Abortion law faces heat in HC over mental health clause
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday issued notice to the Union government on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a 57-year-old Hisar resident challenging the legal provision that allows abortions based on presumed mental health injury without requiring evaluation by a psychiatrist. Deepak Kumar, the petitioner, has sought a declaration that a key clause under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971, particularly Section 3(2) and Explanation 1, is unconstitutional. He argues that the provision violates Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution by allowing gynaecologists to terminate pregnancies on mental health grounds, even though they are not qualified to assess psychological conditions. He has also asked the court to rule that abortions should only be allowed when the life of the woman or the fetus is in immediate danger, not in cases of failed contraception or presumed mental anguish. The PIL, filed through advocates Dr Pankaj Nanhera, Sanchar Anand, Nitin Verma, and Yogesh Vashista, came up for hearing before the division bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry, which issued notice to the Union government and fixed the next hearing for September 16. Section 3(2) of the MTP Act allows a registered medical practitioner to terminate a pregnancy if it risks the woman's life or may cause 'grave injury' to her physical or mental health. For pregnancies up to 20 weeks, the opinion of one doctor is sufficient; between 20 and 24 weeks, two doctors must concur for certain categories of women. Explanation 1 to this section presumes that if a pregnancy results from the failure of contraceptive methods, the resulting mental anguish is automatically considered a grave mental health injury, making abortion legally permissible. The PIL argues that: • Gynaecologists are not trained to assess mental health and should not be given the power to presume psychological harm. • Only psychiatrists can evaluate whether a woman is experiencing mental anguish severe enough to justify an abortion. • The automatic presumption that contraceptive failure causes grave mental injury is arbitrary and may lead to misuse of the law. • The law lacks clear definitions of what qualifies as 'grave injury' to mental health, giving doctors unchecked discretion. The petitioner contends that these provisions enable abortions in situations that fall outside the core intent of the MTP Act, and that such broad presumptions may undermine fetal rights and open doors to female feticide. Among other reliefs, Deepak Kumar has requested the court to: • Declare Section 3(2) and its Explanation 1 unconstitutional. • Clarify that 'grave injury' to mental health should not include distress caused by unintended pregnancies due to failed contraception. • Limit the scope of legal abortions to life-threatening situations for the woman or fetus. The court has admitted the petition and listed it for further hearing on September 16.
Indian Express
31-07-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Bombay High Court pulls up police for compelling doctors to reveal identity of minor girls seeking pregnancy termination
The Bombay High Court on Monday expressed displeasure with the Maharashtra Police for 'harassment' of doctors for compelling them to reveal the names and identity of the minor girls who desire to terminate their pregnancy, despite the Supreme Court directive that the same should not be insisted upon. A bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Neela K Gokhale passed an order on city-based gynecologist seeking direction that he was free to undertake medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) of a co-petitioner minor girl without disclosing her name and identity to the police. The petitioner through advocate Meenaz Kakalia referred to the Supreme Court judgment of 2022 which 'recognized the medical practitioner's fear of prosecution under POCSO, thereby hindering access to safe and legal abortion.' The court noted that petitioner minor girl had consensual relationship with a boy known to her and became pregnant consequent to said relations and she and her parents are desirous of terminating her 13-week pregnancy. 'Hence, well within the restriction on the length of pregnancy, termination of which is permissible under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act (MTP), 1971 subject to the conditions laid down therein. Considering the future of the minor, it is natural that she and her parents are unwilling to reveal her identity,' the HC noted. Kakalia also argued that earlier, a coordinate bench of HC had in May last year allowed the gynaecologist to undertake MTP of another minor girl without disclosing her name and identity based on SC decision. The HC permitted the doctor to undertake MTP of the minor girl 'without being compelled to disclose her name and identity.' The court said that the forensic evidence of the foetus be collected and stored by the doctor only if the minor girl and her parents consent to the same, which transmitted to the Police Officer concerned in case any criminal prosecution is launched in future. 'We are quite surprised that despite the clear finding of the Supreme Court as well as of this court, repeatedly holding that in the facts of such cases, the identity of the minor girl need not be insisted upon to be revealed, the doctors concerned are compelled to approach this court for such permissions as the police insist upon the doctors to reveal the name and identity of the minor victims. 'This is nothing but harassment of the doctors as well as the minor victims. We thus, deem it appropriate that a copy of the Supreme Court's decision as aforesaid as well as the orders passed by this court be circulated to all the police stations in Maharashtra for their information and for necessary action,' the HC noted and disposed of the plea.
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Foeticide suspicions rise as Haryana reports 1,153 late abortions in 3 months
GURGAON: Haryana has recorded 1,153 abortions beyond 12 weeks of pregnancy across its 22 districts in just three months, raising concerns about possible female foeticide as the cases were found to involve couples with one or more daughters. The figures - compiled by the special task force monitoring the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act - have prompted the health department to order an investigation into the cases. Additional chief secretary (health) Sudhir Rajpal has asked all districts to register pregnancies and scrutinise late-term abortions, particularly in cases where couples already have daughters. Civil surgeons will spearhead these investigations. The govt has also formed its own team of senior medical officers and surgeons to verify these cases. Officials said they were particularly concerned about terminations in the second trimester as it coincides with the period when foetal sex can be illegally determined through ultrasound. District-wise data shows Ambala leading with 104 cases, followed by Faridabad (96), Jind (93), Panipat (86), Sonipat (76), Kaithal (73), Karnal (69), Jhajjar (64), Hisar (57), Gurgaon (54), Kurukshetra (50), and Charkhi Dadri (49). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 요즘 SNS에서 핫한 그 반지, 기부로 받을 수 있다고? 굿네이버스 더 알아보기 Undo You Can Also Check: Gurgaon AQI | Weather in Gurgaon | Bank Holidays in Gurgaon | Public Holidays in Gurgaon "The officials assigned to probe the termination of pregnancies will report to the National Health Mission headquarters and assist in auditing RMNCH+A (reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health) indicators. They will also review these second-trimester abortion records, with a particular focus on compliance with the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act and PCPNDT Act," a senior health official said. The high number of terminations comes at a time when 13 of Haryana's 22 districts have reported a decline in sex ratio at birth. Last year, the state's overall ratio dropped to 910 - its lowest since 2016. Several districts under scrutiny, such as Ambala, Jhajjar, Sonipat, and Panipat, have historically shown skewed sex ratios. Health officials acknowledged that while abortion was legal till 20 weeks of pregnancy and under certain conditions, procedures conducted beyond 12 weeks often triggered suspicions of female foeticide in areas with a track record of gender bias. "In the wake of the latest figures, we cannot rule out the possibility that many of these abortions may have been sought after illegally determining the foetal sex. This requires immediate investigation," an official said. The govt investigation, officials said, will examine whether registered MTP centres follow proper documentation and referral protocols, and identify any illegal clinics operating covertly.
