Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 2021
The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 2021 was enacted to make amendments to the previous law Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971.
It was enacted to give more rights and freedom to the women regarding the termination of pregnancy.
Amendments made to the act and its key features :
- Number of doctor’s opinion needed for termination of pregnancy :
- Under the new act opinion of only one RMP (registered medical practitioner) is required to abort the pregnancy upto 20 weeks.
- If the pregnancy is above 20 weeks and below 24 weeks then opinion of 2 RMPs are required to abort the baby.
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- If any foetal abnormalities are found after 24 weeks they can approach the medical board which will decide the merit of the case.
- Every State Government or Union territory, shall constitute a Medical Board for the purposes of this Act to exercise such powers and functions under this Act.
- The Medical Board shall consist of the following, namely :— (a) a Gynaecologist; (b) a Paediatrician; (c) a Radiologist or Sonologist (d) such other number of members as may be notified by the State Government or Union territory.
- Termination in case of contraceptive failure :
- The previous act of 1971 did not allow unmarried to terminate the pregnancy due to failure of contraceptives.
- But, the new act allows both married and unmarried to terminate the pregnancy due to failure of contraceptives.
- Respects privacy and maintains secrecy : No registered medical practitioner shall reveal the name and other particulars of a woman whose pregnancy has been terminated under this Act except to a person authorised by any law for the time being in force.
Syllabus : prelims + Mains; GS2 – Governance; various laws and acts
