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After a delay of over two years since the Parliament amended the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act and the subsequent directive from the Central government to notify these changes, Delhi is finally progressing toward implementing amendments aimed at fostering a more women-friendly environment.
Lt Governor V.K. Saxena has given the green light to the Department of Health and Family Welfare’s proposal to issue notifications concerning Statutory Forms under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act, 2021.
These amendments seek to ensure that women have widespread access to comprehensive abortion care and allow for the termination of certain pregnancies by Registered Medical Practitioners (RMP).
Expressing dissatisfaction and surprise at the delayed presentation of the matter for approval, despite the Central government’s communication in December 2021, the LG emphasized the need for an investigation into the causes of the significant delay. He directed the Health Department to identify the reasons for the delay and assign accountability, stressing the importance of handling such matters promptly in the future.
The amendments made in 2021 significantly altered the MTP Act, reducing the requirement for opinions from two RMPs to one for pregnancies up to 20 weeks of gestation. For terminations between 20-24 weeks, two RMP opinions are necessary under specific circumstances. The revised Act also introduced the provision of a Medical Board to grant permission for termination beyond 24 weeks under specific circumstances determined by the Board.
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had directed states and UTs in December 2021 to update Forms I, II & III in the official Gazette under MTP Regulations. These forms document RMP opinions, regulations, and admission registers related to pregnancy terminations.
The updated forms simplify the process by requiring details of only one RMP in Form I, replacing specific terms to make them more inclusive, and introducing additional sections in Form II based on the duration of pregnancy. Form III, the Admission Register, now includes provisions for pregnancies beyond 24 weeks and necessitates mentioning Medical Board Members.
The LG was briefed that the proposal for statutory Forms’ notification received endorsements from the Health Minister and approval from the Chief Minister, indicating a positive step towards implementing these overdue changes for the benefit of women’s healthcare rights in Delhi.
