JJ Hospital to decide on city teen’s abortion

JJ Hospital authorities are now racing against time to put together a medical board of the city’s best gynaecologist and other doctors. This comes after the Supreme Court has directed the hospital to examine a 13-year-old girl city girl who wants to abort her 30week-old foetus and give its opinion.

Doctors told Free Press Journal that since the girl is a teenager, a number of factors relating to her health would have to be debated. “Till now we have not received any letter, but as the SC has given an order we will have to give our opinion. A team of seven medical experts will be formed to debate the matter,” said Dr Tatyarao Lahane, Dean of JJ Hospital.

The teenager is now more than seven months pregnant and the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, does not allow abortions beyond 20 weeks of pregnancy. That’s the reason why her parents have sought the Supreme Court’s help. In the past, the court has made exceptions only in cases where the foetus had a serious abnormality or if the mother’s life was at risk.

City doctors said there could be complications since the pregnancy is at an advanced stage. “At the age of 12, the pelvis is not fully developed and the vaginal opening is small. There are risks of lacerations,” said a senior doctor. But, he added, all 13-yearolds are not of the same build. She will have to be thoroughly examined. “However, if the girl is not allowed to abort the child it will add to her mental and physical trauma,” said another doctor.