The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was passed by the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament) in India. The bill aims to amend the existing Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971. The key features of the amendments are as follows:
1. Upper gestation limit: The amendments propose to increase the upper gestation limit from 20 to 24 weeks for specific categories of women, which will be defined in the MTP Rules. These categories will include survivors of rape, victims of incest, differently-abled women, minors, and other vulnerable women.
2. Opinion of providers: Up to 20 weeks of gestation, the termination of pregnancy will require the opinion of only one medical provider. However, for pregnancies between 20 and 24 weeks, the opinion of two medical providers will be necessary.
3. Foetal abnormalities: In cases where there are substantial foetal abnormalities diagnosed by a Medical Board, the upper gestation limit will not apply. The composition, functions, and other details of the Medical Board will be determined and prescribed in the Rules under the Act.
4. Confidentiality: The amendments ensure that the name and other details of a woman whose pregnancy has been terminated will remain confidential, except to those authorized by law.
5. Contraceptive failure: The grounds for termination of pregnancy have been expanded to include cases of contraceptive failure for both women and their partners.
The primary objective of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2021 is to improve women's access to safe and legal abortion services for therapeutic, eugenic, humanitarian, and social reasons. The amendments seek to increase the upper gestation limit for pregnancy termination under specific conditions and enhance access to comprehensive abortion care while maintaining the safety and quality of the procedure.
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