Under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act in India, in which one situation may a registered medical practitioner terminate a pregnancy in an institution that is not approved for MTP?
- A When continuation of pregnancy endangers the life of the pregnant woman in an emergency ✓
- B When gestation is below 8 weeks
- C When the patient pays for the procedure as a private patient
- D When the pregnancy results from contraceptive failure
Explanation
The MTP Act restricts terminations to institutions approved or licensed for the purpose, performed by certified providers. However, the Act contains an explicit exception: where continuing the pregnancy immediately threatens the life of the pregnant woman, or grave injury to her physical or mental health, a qualified registered medical practitioner may terminate the pregnancy in a facility that is not an approved MTP centre, provided it is done in emergency circumstances. Gestational age, payment status, or indication never waive the approval requirement; the waiver applies solely to emergencies endangering the woman.
Reference: DC Dutta's Textbook of Obstetrics, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.