Now, abortions by Homeopaths, Ayurveds and Midwives legal

New Delhi, Nov 1: In a breakthrough, the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) draft bill legalised abortions performed not only by alopaths, but also by homeopaths, midwives and ayurveds.

Moreover, the draft bill put up for suggestion on its site by the Union health ministry has increased the abortion limit from the present 20 weeks to 24 weeks. Gynaecologist Dr Nikhil Datar, who took the issue to the Supreme Court six years ago while treating a patient said,"The draft says there is no time limit in case doctors detect a foetal abnormality."

The patient's unborn baby was detected with a heart anomaly and the patient had to undergo an abortion beyond a 20-week period. Two other petitioners also joined Datar's petition. Experts from a leading NGO working toward Women's rights for safe abortion say,"This is the biggest advancement of women's rights since the passage of the MTP Act in 1971."

Otherwise, women have to travel for miles to avail an abortion centre. Some of them also die every two hours due to unsafe abortions.

OneIndia News