CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court has directed authorities to provide free and comprehensive medical care to a 16-year-old rape survivor who has decided to continue with her over 31-week-pregnancy after medical experts warned that termination at this stage involved high risk including maternal death.
Disposing of a writ petition filed by the minor’s parents seeking termination of unlawful pregnancy, Justice BP Routray recorded that the girl and her mother had chosen to continue the pregnancy till safer delivery of the baby upon completion of gestational period.
“It needs to be mentioned here that as per the report of the Medical Board at Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar and the AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, it is stated that medical termination of pregnancy of the minor girl is involved with high risk including maternal death and other complications to both the mother and baby,” the court observed.
The judge noted that the parents’ willingness to continue the pregnancy had already been reflected in an earlier order dated May 7. During the final hearing, Ramakanta Sarangi, counsel for the petitioners, submitted a memo signed by the survivor and her mother formally expressing consent to continue with the pregnancy.
Accordingly, Justice Routray directed the director of AIIMS, Bhubaneswar to provide free medical care, nutrition and other support to the pregnant minor girl. He also directed the state authorities including the director of Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar to extend all such medical facilities in case the petitioners opt to be treated there.
“It goes without saying that all necessary medicines, medical treatment and other ancillary medical facilities relating to the treatment and delivery of the baby should be provided free of cost to the pregnant minor girl,” Justice Routray further specified.