Dear Shri Mittal
The India Against Corruption has only just come to know of this draft
amendments for MTP Act.
We request for more time to file comments on such an important public
issue after wide consultation and discussion with our membership.
.
Until then, we endorse and adopt the position / submissions of our
esteemed council member Lt. Col Pavan Nair who has already filed in
his personal capacity. IAC also request to be heard in person and
tender evidence as and when this matter reaches the Standing
sub-Committee.
Duty officer (Corruption Helpline)
Dr. Vishnu Mutthu
for India Against Corruption (HQ).
B-59 Defence Colony
New Delhi 110024
On 11/8/14, pavan nair <pavannair1@gmail.com> wrote:
> Proposed amendments to the Act have been put on the website of the Ministry
> of Health and Family Welfare for comments/suggestions by stakeholders and
> the public. www.mohfw.nic.in The proposed amendments include allowing
> registered ayurvedic doctors, homeopaths, nurses, ANMs to carry out
> abortions. Also, any woman can get an abortion on demand till 12 weeks and
> thereafter till 24 weeks under certain conditions. The effect of these
> amendments will have a deleterious effect on the reproductive health of
> women as clinics will spring up in rural and semi-rural areas with few
> checks for hygiene and quality of services provided. Such clinics will
> thrive on sex selective abortions which will be detrimental to the social
> fabric of the country. Time has been given till 10 November to submit
> comments. This is inadequate. I have submitted my comments which I am
> pasting below. Should IAC take a view? In any case individuals can submit
> comments to saurabh.mittal89@nic.in Pavan Nair.
>
> Dear Shri Mittal,
>
> Please refer to the notice on the website of the Ministry of Health
> and Family Welfare regarding the above. I am submitting my para wise
> comments and suggestions to the proposed amendments as under. At the
> outset, however, let me make it clear that these amendments will have a
> deleterious effect on the reproductive health of women and will encourage
> the practice of female foeticide. The proposal to extend the date for
> termination to 24 weeks seems reasonable. The time given for submission of
> comments is inadequate and the amendments need much wider dissemination for
> discussion and debate. The purpose of these amendments seems to encourage
> the use of abortion to restrict births and encourage family planning. This
> is dangerous and problematic as a policy when cheap and easily available
> contraceptives can be widely distributed. Contraceptive failure is very
> rare. Nearly 80% of abortions being done in Delhi are for this reason. I
> have obtained this information under RTI from your Ministry.
>
> Para 2. The concept of using 'health care providers' ( registered and
> trained ayurvedic doctors, homeopaths, nurses, ANMs etc) will encourage
> abortion clinics being established in rural and semi rural areas. To check
> facilities provided and conditions of hygiene will be near impossible. Not
> having a gynecologist or a surgeon present will lead to complications.
>
> Para 4 (II). Substituted Para 2a. This implies that abortion should be made
> available on demand till 12 weeks. In a country like India, we have not
> been able to make birthing facilities available, how will it be possible
> for the government to make facilities for abortion available in rural
> areas? Obviously private practitioners will fill that gap. Secondly, sex
> determination becomes feasible at about the same time. This Section will be
> misused to carry out sex selective abortions even till 15 weeks. Who will
> establish how far the pregnancy has gone. The health care provider.
>
> Explanation (ii) is redundant since the pregnant woman can seek abortion
> under the Para 2a above. In any case there should be a clause for married
> couples where abortion should be made available only if they have two or
> more surviving or adopted children. These amendments will allow a married
> couple to terminate even first healthy pregnancies on grounds of
> contraceptive failure after 12 weeks and on no particular ground before.
>
> I am copying this mail to the Minister and a few others who may be
> interested. Please acknowledge receipt of this mail. Col Pavan Nair VSM
> (Retd)
>
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