Doctors demand raising the limit of MTP to 24 weeks
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Pune: A recent arrest of a gynacologist in Pune after she performed an MTP on a patient who was more than 20 weeks pregnant, has sparked an age long debate on the law of abortions while fueling the efforts of many medical professionals aiming for amendments in the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971
The case goes back to May 5, 2016, when an FIR was lodged against Dr Neela Desai, a gynaecologist in Pune, after she had performed an MTP on a 21 weeks and 4 days pregnant lady. While the appropriate authority found this in complete violation of MTP Act, 1971, further adding that there was no threat to the life of the patient, the doctor pointed out that the foetus had defects which were picked up by the sonography.
Dr Ashok Desai ( husband of the accused doctor), explained to the Mirror, "The baby had heart and brain defects recorded on the sonography. The woman and her husband came to the Poona Hospital OPD and it just happened to be Dr Neela Desai's day for appointments. The decision was taken based on the sonography report. Another senior gynaecologist in the hospital was also consulted. The foetus was also clinically small and the abortion was done in good faith. We are running a clean practice. The law is peculiar and authorities take advantage of it," he said.
The case goes back to May 5, 2016, when an FIR was lodged against Dr Neela Desai, a gynaecologist in Pune, after she had performed an MTP on a 21 weeks and 4 days pregnant lady. While the appropriate authority found this in complete violation of MTP Act, 1971, further adding that there was no threat to the life of the patient, the doctor pointed out that the foetus had defects which were picked up by the sonography.
Dr Ashok Desai ( husband of the accused doctor), explained to the Mirror, "The baby had heart and brain defects recorded on the sonography. The woman and her husband came to the Poona Hospital OPD and it just happened to be Dr Neela Desai's day for appointments. The decision was taken based on the sonography report. Another senior gynaecologist in the hospital was also consulted. The foetus was also clinically small and the abortion was done in good faith. We are running a clean practice. The law is peculiar and authorities take advantage of it," he said.
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