Question : Permanent Medical Boards for Women

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has asked State/UT Governments to appoint permanent medical boards to provide assistance to women especially rape survivors to consider their requests for
abortion/termination of pregnancies beyond 20 weeks;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the composition, functions and current status of the permanent medical boards;

(c) the number of women who have approached the High Courts/ Supreme Court for medical termination of pregnancy beyond 20 weeks during the last three years; and

(d) the details of the progress made by the State Government thereon?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)
(a): Yes. As per the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, State/UT Governments have been asked to constitute Permanent Medical Boards in each State for urgent examination of cases referred to by the Hon’ble District Courts, High Courts and Supreme Court for Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) beyond 20 weeks so that immediate opinion can be given and urgent action can be taken.

(b): It was advised that the Medical Board may consist of experts from Gynaecology & Obstetrics, Paediatrics, Radiology/Sonology, Cardiology, Pulmonology, Neurology, Genetics, Pathology and/or other specialists as per the requirement of the case. The Board is to be formed at one or more tertiary level Government Medical Institution.

The functions of the Medical Board are to examine the woman when referred to by the Hon’ble Court and give comprehensive opinion to the Court regarding the feasibility of termination of pregnancy or otherwise and take urgent action as per the direction of the Courts.

(c): This data is not centrally maintained. However, as per the intimations of such cases received in MoHFW from various Courts in 2017-18, 26 cases had been filed in High Courts and Supreme Court for medical termination of pregnancy beyond 20 weeks.

(d): Till date, Medical Boards have been formed in the States of Delhi, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Tripura, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Goa.