1st Prize to Chhattisgarh for Innovation in Safe Abortion Services

• 01 May 2023

Why in News?

On 28 April 2023, Chhattisgarh received the 1st prize for innovation in safe abortion services in the National Consultation on Comprehensive Abortion Care organized by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in New Delhi.

Key Points:

• State Nodal Officer for Maternal Health Dr. Shailendra Agarwal and State Advisor Abhilasha Sharma Ratre received the award on behalf of Chhattisgarh.
• It is worth mentioning that the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act has been implemented to monitor safe abortion services in the country.
• According to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act, 2021, a pregnant woman can get an abortion up to 24 weeks. Abortion is permitted in case of sexual assault, rape, change of marital status (widow and divorce) during minor pregnancy, and physically disabled and mentally ill women. Along with this, those women can also get abortions, whose fetus in the womb has a deformity.
• 'E-Kalyani App' has been prepared to monitor the availability of safe abortion services in private hospitals in the state and compliance of the MTP Act.
• Through this app, private hospitals can apply for providing services under the Act, which is reviewed and approved by the district-level committee.
• At present, 136 private hospitals are registered in the state in the 'E-Kalyani App', where safe abortion services are being provided under the MTP Act. Apart from these, safe abortion-related services are also available in 193 government hospitals.
• Support is being provided by the Ipas Development Foundation in the operation of safe abortion services in the state.