03 July 2024 Medical, Pharma & Healthcare >> Miscellaneous  

Bombay High Court has issued a compassionate order in a complex case involving a pregnant woman diagnosed with advanced-stage cancer. The woman, identified as Mrs. XYZ to protect her privacy, sought permission to terminate her 25-26 week pregnancy due to her critical health condition.

Mrs. XYZ suffers from stage 4 pancreatic cancer, and medical reports indicate a guarded prognosis even with treatment. The court-appointed Medical Board concluded that terminating the pregnancy wouldn't improve her survival chances. However, a critical aspect of the case involved the possibility of the baby being born alive at this stage. Neonatal guidelines mandate resuscitation in most cases, presenting the couple with a challenging decision.

The court acknowledged Mrs. XYZ's right to bodily autonomy and reproductive freedom. Recognizing the emotional and ethical complexities of the situation, the order allows her to proceed with a medical termination of pregnancy if she chooses to do so. The concerned doctors will determine the safest time for the procedure based on her health parameters.

The order also addresses the possibility of a live birth. Should that occur, the hospital will provide necessary neonatal care. The court offers adoption as an option, but the final decision regarding the child's future rests with Mrs. XYZ and her husband.

  MEDICAL TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY ACT, 1971