Latest news with #MedicalTerminationofPregnancy
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Haryana: Intensify enforcement measures against illegal abortions, health officials told
The Haryana health department will intensify enforcement measures against illegal abortion practices and take strict action against doctors found guilty of such violations, including cancellation of their licences. Additional chief secretary (ACS), health, Sudhir Rajpal on Tuesday asked officials to focus on BAMS doctors and unqualified practitioners (quacks) involved in illegal abortions, particularly in Karnal, Palwal, Gurugram and Charkhi Dadri districts. The ACS directed officials to involve deputy commissioners and launch a crackdown on establishments involved in illegal medical termination of pregnancy in these districts. Officials were also directed to coordinate with police authorities and request the DGP to constitute a dedicated task force to combat illegal abortions. The ACS who on Tuesday chaired a weekly meeting of the State Task Force formed for improving sex ratio also ordered disciplinary action against the district monitoring and evaluation officer and deputy CMO of Faridabad for negligence in duty. The officials were also directed to create unique pregnancy IDs to track every pregnancy and ensure more accurate data of pregnant women. Registration of a doctor from Kurukshetra has also been recommended for cancellation by the Haryana Medical Council after he was allegedly found complicit in malpractices, said an official statement. An official spokesperson said that during the past week (May 27 to June 2), inspections were conducted across the state over the illegal sale of Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) kits in which two MTP kits were seized and an FIR was registered. The number of wholesalers selling MTP kits has been reduced from 32 to five within a month in Haryana and the sale trend of MTP kits has seen a significant decline in 16 districts of the state, the spokesperson said. One firm has also been given notice under Drug and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, for violation of rules and legal proceedings shall be launched against it. 4 nursing homes sealed in Palwal Four nursing homes in Palwal where illegal abortions were being carried out by quacks were raided and sealed by a team of the health department. An FIR has been registered and the accused have been arrested, the spokesperson said.
Indian Express
02-06-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
‘Don't insist on ID': Delhi HC issues further guidelines on medical termination of pregnancy in minor rape survivors
The Delhi High Court has issued guidelines again to various authorities for 'institutional clarity' in hospitals in cases of medical termination of pregnancy of minor victims of sexual assault, directing that identity documents shall not be insisted on during medical examination when brought by the investigating officer after the registration of an FIR. It has also directed to designate nodal officers in government hospitals to coordinate the medico-legal aspects of such cases. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma issued the slew of guidelines on Thursday while allowing a plea seeking permission for the medical termination of pregnancy of a minor survivor of sexual assault. The latest guidelines – especially for hospital administration – come after the court recorded that in the present case, 'the chain of events reveals a troubling picture of delay, miscommunication, and lack of clarity on the part of hospital authorities, all of which culminated in a significant lapse in providing timely medical care to a 17-year-old rape survivor.' Earlier, Justice Sharma had in April issued guidelines to child welfare committees (CWCs) and legal aid authorities. Issuing further directions to hospital administrations, the court said that in cases where gestational pregnancy is found to be exceeding 24 weeks, 'the Medical Board shall be constituted immediately, and without waiting for any specific direction from the Court, the Board shall conduct the necessary medical examination and prepare an appropriate report at the earliest and place before appropriate authorities.' It directed hospital administrations to 'make available the latest, updated Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) and relevant legal guidelines in both Emergency and Gynaecology Departments, and to ensure that duty doctors are briefed and sensitised regularly regarding their obligations under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act, and guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court and High Courts.' The court also instructed to conduct quarterly training programmes for doctors, medical staff, and legal officers attached to all hospitals, in coordination with legal aid bodies such as the Delhi State Legal Services Authority and the Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee (DHCLSC). Besides, a nodal officer must be designated in every government hospital to coordinate MTP and medico-legal processes for victims of sexual assault as a single point of contact for CWC, IOs and court. A standardised format for MTP request, consent, ultrasound requisition, and medical opinion must also be made available in all emergency and gynaecology units in both English and Hindi. Issuing directions to the Delhi Police, the court said, the force must ensure that investigating officers (IO) dealing with 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 shall be maintained in the officers' service records. On April 17, Justice Sharma had issued guidelines, especially to CWCs and Delhi High Court Legal Services, to avoid delays in such cases, while dealing similarly with a plea seeking permission to medically terminate a pregnancy in a minor sexual assault survivor exceeding 27 weeks. The court at the time, had laid down that whenever a minor victim of sexual assault, who is found pregnant with a gestational period of pregnancy exceeding 24 weeks, is produced before the CWC and is referred to a hospital for medical examination or medical termination of pregnancy, the concerned CWC shall forthwith inform the Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee (DHCLSC) regarding the case. Upon receipt of such information, DHCLSC shall immediately take appropriate steps to assess whether any legal intervention is required, including the need to approach the competent court seeking an order for medical termination of pregnancy which is beyond 24 weeks in case of a rape victim where she or her guardian seek medical termination of pregnancy, so as to avoid any further delay. Prior to the April 2025 guidelines, the high court had been issuing guidelines through various judgments. In January 2023, it issued guidelines for investigating officers, outlining that survivors of sexual assault shall be medically examined, be presented before a medical board as envisaged under the MTP Act in case consent is given for termination, and the examination report must be presented to the concerned authorities for moving court if necessary. It had also directed the constitution of medical boards at hospitals.
NDTV
28-05-2025
- Health
- NDTV
In Haryana, Over 1,700 Abortion Kits Seized, 6 FIRs Filed After Raids
Chandigarh: Authorities in Haryana has seized 1,787 Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) kits during statewide inspections carried out last week to check their illegal sale, and registered six FIRs in this regard, an official statement said here on Tuesday. This was revealed at the weekly meeting of the State Task Force for improving sex ratio held under the chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Sudhir Rajpal here on Tuesday. The meeting focused on intensifying efforts to curb illegal abortions and further improve the state's sex ratio under the 'Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao' campaign. During the meeting, Mr Rajpal directed officials to intensify enforcement against illegal abortion practices and take strict action against doctors found guilty of such violations, including cancellation of their licences. Officials informed him that in the week from May 20 to 26, inspections were conducted across the state, during which 1,787 MTP kits were seized and six FIRs registered. In addition, three shops were sealed for illegal practices. The number of wholesalers selling MTP kits has been reduced from 32 to six within one month. Three cases of overcharging of MTP kits were detected while two firms were given notice under Drug and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 for violation of rules. The MTP kit sale has seen a significant decline in 14 districts of the state, the official statement said. Mr Rajpal emphasised targeting quacks involved in illegal abortions. He directed the officials to hold senior medical officers accountable in all Community Health Centres, ensuring that no illegal abortions occur within their jurisdictions. He directed that senior medical officers shall hold weekly meetings with medical officers and community health officers every Tuesday, while chief medical officers should hold meetings with senior medical officers every Wednesday to review efforts against illegal abortions and improving the sex ratio. It was also decided to place 686 sub-registrars under the jurisdiction of all 122 Community Health Centres operating across the state to enhance accountability. Officials were also directed to revalidate the registration data of IVF (in-vitro fertilisation) centres operating across the state and closely monitor their activities to identify any malpractice or illegalities. Strict compliance with established norms will be enforced, with violators facing stringent action, the statement quoted Mr Rajpal as saying.
Hindustan Times
27-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
1,787 abortion kits seized, 6 FIRs filed after raids in Haryana last week
Chandigarh, Authorities in Haryana has seized 1,787 Medical Termination of Pregnancy kits during statewide inspections carried out last week to check their illegal sale, and registered six FIRs in this regard, an official statement said here on Tuesday. This was revealed at the weekly meeting of the State Task Force for improving sex ratio held under the chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Sudhir Rajpal here on Tuesday. The meeting focused on intensifying efforts to curb illegal abortions and further improve the state's sex ratio under the 'Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao' campaign. During the meeting, Rajpal directed officials to intensify enforcement against illegal abortion practices and take strict action against doctors found guilty of such violations, including cancellation of their licences. Officials informed him that in the week from May 20 to 26, inspections were conducted across the state, during which 1,787 MTP kits were seized and six FIRs registered. In addition, three shops were sealed for illegal practices. The number of wholesalers selling MTP kits has been reduced from 32 to six within one month. Three cases of overcharging of MTP kits were detected while two firms were given notice under Drug and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 for violation of rules. The MTP kit sale has seen a significant decline in 14 districts of the state, the official statement said. Rajpal emphasised targeting quacks involved in illegal abortions. He directed the officials to hold senior medical officers accountable in all Community Health Centres, ensuring that no illegal abortions occur within their jurisdictions. He directed that senior medical officers shall hold weekly meetings with medical officers and community health officers every Tuesday, while chief medical officers should hold meetings with senior medical officers every Wednesday to review efforts against illegal abortions and improving the sex ratio. It was also decided to place 686 sub-registrars under the jurisdiction of all 122 Community Health Centres operating across the state to enhance accountability. Officials were also directed to revalidate the registration data of IVF centres operating across the state and closely monitor their activities to identify any malpractice or illegalities. Strict compliance with established norms will be enforced, with violators facing stringent action, the statement quoted Rajpal as saying.
India Today
25-05-2025
- Health
- India Today
Madhya Pradesh court allows minor rape survivor to deliver baby, orders full support
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has allowed a 31-week-pregnant minor to deliver her baby. The decision was delivered by Justice Vinay Saraf during a vacation single bench hearing. The court also directed the state government to ensure the girl receives complete medical care and continued support after the child is police had informed the Additional District Judge (ADJ) court about a minor who had been sexually assaulted and was found to be pregnant. A medical report confirmed that the foetus was 29 weeks and 6 days old. Doctors warned that attempting an abortion at this stage could endanger the girl's life. Based on this, the ADJ court referred the case to the High Court, which then passed the present minor, accompanied by her parents, submitted a letter to the High Court expressing their decision to carry the pregnancy to term and deliver the child. The court took note of the gynaecologist's report, which confirmed that the foetus was over 29 weeks old at the time. By the time of the judgment, the gestational age had advanced to approximately 31 weeks. Considering this, the Court observed that terminating the pregnancy at such a late stage could pose a significant risk to the minor's life. The court said that given the circumstances, no directions can be issued for the medical termination of the pregnancy, and disposed of the petition. The High Court has directed that the state shall provide all necessary medical facilities through a team of specialist doctors to support the victim throughout her pregnancy and expenses related to childbirth shall be borne by the state. The medical team must exercise the utmost care and caution during the pregnancy, delivery and postnatal period, as required. Post-delivery care shall also be provided to the victim and the State Government shall assume responsibility for the child in accordance with established norms. Furthermore, the State Government is directed to ensure that the child receives free education up to Class 12th, and all essential medical facilities until the child attains the age of majority. The identities of both the victim and the child must be kept strictly confidential," said the court has also urged the State Government to consider formulating a comprehensive policy to provide food, shelter, education, and safety for children born to survivors of sexual assault, rape, or court noted that the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act protects medical boards when they give a well-meaning opinion on ending a pregnancy. However, it said boards should not follow only the strict rules of the Act. They must also consider the woman's physical and emotional health. The court added that boards must clearly explain their opinions and any changes they make as situations develop. Most importantly, a woman's consent is the top priority in decisions about ending a Reel IN THIS STORY#Madhya Pradesh
