Odisha to set up More Abortion Centres: Arati Ahuja

Acknowledging that maternal mortality rate in Odisha is quite higher against national average due to unsafe abortions; the state government has decided to set up more maternal termination of pregnancy centres (MTPs) by 2017.  Addressing at a workshop here Friday, Health Secretary Arati Ahuja said while there are 155 MTPs in various health centres in the state, the government would increase it to 274 by 2017 to ensure safe abortions.

Arati Ahuja said her department has been stressing the need of implementation of safe abortion services at health centres across all districts in the state as per Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971. Sources said the maternal mortality rate is around 222 in the state against national average of 176. (IANS)