The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed Parel’s KEM Hospital to examine a 22-year-old pregnant woman carrying a foetus with severe anomaly and submit the report of its findings. The Mumbai resident, who is a little over 23 weeks pregnant, has sought permission for termination of pregnancy on grounds of foetal anomaly. The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act allows abortions only up to 20 weeks of pregnancy.
The woman, a resident of western suburbs in Mumbai, was first examined in a private hospital near her house, when she was slightly over 20 weeks pregnant. The ultrasound detected a foetal anomaly but the doctor refused to carry out an abortion. A relative then referred her to gynaecologist Dr. Sangeeta Pikale in Mahim. “By the time she came to me, she was 21.6 week pregnant. We did an ultrasound and found a foetal anomaly. Another confirmatory ultrasound ascertained anencephaly — a condition where a large part of the brain and skull remains undeveloped,” said Dr. Pikale who explained the woman and her husband about the condition and the process that they would have to follow for abortion. Last year in July, a rape victim pregnant with an anomalous foetus, had approached the Supreme Court for termination of her 24-week-old pregnancy. After a report from KEM hospital, the court gave the nod for the abortion.
“We followed the same procedure and approached the court,” said Dr. Pikale confirming that the court had directed the KEM hospital to examine the case and submit a report. The petition was filed by a law firm that takes up such cases as pro bono .
The case has once again highlighted the need of implementation of the amendment that was drafted in 2014 for the MTP bill.
