TELANGANA REPORTS BIG JUMP IN PREGNANCY TERMINATIONS
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Telangana has recorded a significant and concerning surge in Medical Terminations of Pregnancy (MTPs), with official figures revealing that the number of procedures has nearly tripled in just two years. According to data for the fiscal year 2024–25, as many as 16,059 MTPs were conducted across the state. This sharp escalation has raised serious questions about reproductive health services, women’s welfare programs, and the broader public health framework in the region.
Public health experts and women’s rights activists say the numbers are a reflection of deeper systemic issues rather than a sudden change in women’s health needs. While the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act allows safe abortions under specific conditions to protect the physical or mental health of a woman, such a rapid increase suggests that preventive healthcare measures are faltering.
Cuts in Maternal Welfare Schemes – A Contributing Factor
One of the most cited reasons behind this trend is the reduction or restructuring of key maternal welfare schemes in recent years. Programs that earlier provided free or subsidized maternal healthcare, nutritional support, and regular antenatal check-ups have reportedly seen budget cuts. As a result, women particularly from low-income and rural backgrounds—are missing out on crucial early interventions during pregnancy.
Without timely medical attention, complications and unwanted pregnancies are becoming more common. Health workers note that the decline in outreach services, such as home visits by Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and community awareness programs, has further compounded the problem.
Changing Social and Economic Factors
The rise in MTPs is not just about healthcare policy. Social and economic changes also play a role. Many urban and semi-urban women are choosing to delay childbirth due to career priorities, financial uncertainty, or personal choice. However, limited access to reliable contraception, inadequate sex education, and lack of discreet family planning services often lead to unplanned pregnancies, even in these groups.
Rural communities, on the other hand, face an entirely different set of challenges. Misinformation, stigma around contraceptive use, and limited access to skilled medical practitioners push women toward last-minute pregnancy terminations rather than preventive measures.
Public Health Concerns – Beyond the Numbers
Medical experts are concerned that this surge could be masking even more worrying trends. For instance, official MTP figures only account for registered procedures performed in licensed facilities. Unofficial and unsafe abortions often carried out by unqualified practitioners or in unhygienic conditions still remain underreported. Such practices pose life-threatening risks, including severe infections, infertility, and even maternal mortality.
Dr. Kavitha Rao, a Hyderabad-based gynecologist, warns, “While the law protects women’s right to safe termination, our goal should be to reduce the need for it by ensuring comprehensive sexual health education, affordable contraception, and robust maternal care services.”
The Need for Multi-Pronged Intervention
Experts believe that reversing this trend requires a combination of policy, education, and community outreach:
Revival of Maternal Welfare Schemes – Restoring and strengthening financial and medical support programs for pregnant women can prevent health complications and reduce the number of unplanned pregnancies.
Better Access to Contraceptives – Government health centers and pharmacies should ensure an uninterrupted supply of affordable contraceptives, along with counseling on their correct usage.
Sexual Health Education – Introducing scientifically accurate, age-appropriate sexual health education in schools can help dismantle myths and equip young people with the knowledge to make informed choices.
Rural Health Infrastructure – More qualified doctors, trained nurses, and mobile medical units should be deployed in remote areas to bridge the urban-rural healthcare gap.
A Call for Compassion and Awareness
While debates around MTP often lean toward legal or moral arguments, public health professionals stress the importance of empathy. Each statistic represents a woman facing a difficult and personal decision, often under challenging circumstances. Policies and services must be shaped to respect these realities while promoting preventive healthcare.
Telangana’s rising MTP numbers are a wake-up call. Without targeted interventions, the state risks not only higher abortion rates but also worsening maternal health indicators. As experts point out, the solution lies not in restricting women’s choices, but in expanding their options through education, healthcare, and social support that empowers them to plan their families and safeguard their health.
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