A woman arrives in haemorrhagic shock with an incomplete abortion at approximately 14 weeks of gestation at a primary care facility that holds no approval for performing MTP. What does the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act permit in this situation?

• A Medication abortion may be given in an unapproved facility but surgery may not
• B Stabilisation only, with mandatory transfer to an approved facility before any procedure
• C Immediate evacuation by any registered medical practitioner, because termination to save the woman's life is exempt from approval and gestational limit requirements ✓
• D The procedure is prohibited until formal approval of the facility is granted

Explanation

Section 5 of the MTP Act provides that where termination is immediately necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman, a registered medical practitioner may perform it even in a facility not approved under the Act and irrespective of gestational age. Waiting for transfer or approval in a shocked, bleeding woman violates this provision. The exemption applies specifically to life-threatening situations, not to routine services.

Reference: Dutta's Textbook of Obstetrics, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.