Doctor held for carrying out abortion, hospital sealed

A doctor at a private hospital in Vazhapadi was arrested for carrying out illegal abortion that led to the death of a 24-year-old woman at Vazhapadi here on Monday. The hospital was also sealed by officials of the health department.

On April 18, the woman, her husband and mother-in-law came to the hospital and the doctor, Selvambal Rajkumar, carried out scanning and revealed that it was a female foetus. Scanning to determine the gender of the foetus is banned. The doctor carried out the abortion at the hospital that led to loss of blood and later the embryo sac was removed. As the victim’s condition deteriorated, she was admitted to another private hospital the next day, where she died. A team led by Joint Director of Medical Services Valarmathi and doctors from Government Hospital in Vazhapadi inspected the hospital and sealed it. Based on a complaint, the doctor was arrested and produced in the court and lodged in prison.

Collector Rohini R. Bhajibhakare in a press release said that birth rate of girl child has reduced in the district when compared to male child. The release said that only in case of medically accepted reason, abortions can be carried out at government hospitals at free of cost. Also, their identify will not be revealed. Warning scan centres not to reveal the sex of the foetus, she said stringent action would be taken in case of violations.