Cuttack: The Orissa high court has directed the director of AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, to provide free medical care, nutrition and other support to a 16-year-old rape survivor after her family decided against terminating her over 31-week pregnancy due to the high medical risk involved.Disposing of a writ petition filed by the girl’s parents seeking termination of what they termed an “unlawful pregnancy”, Justice BP Routray 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 at Capital Hospital.“The director of AIIMS, Bhubaneswar and director of Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar will extend such facilities, free of cost, on being approached by the petitioners,” Justice Routray said in the May 8 order, web copy of which was released online on Monday.“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,” the judge further specified.The judgment was delivered taking note of the opinions submitted by medical boards of Capital Hospital and AIIMS, Bhubaneswar.“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 high court noted that the parents had earlier expressed willingness to continue the pregnancy in view of the risks associated with medical termination at the present stage. During the final hearing on May 8, petitioners’ counsel Ramakanta Sarangi submitted a memo signed by the survivor and her mother confirming the decision.Justice Routray said the court was inclined to respect the decision taken by the survivor and her mother. “The mother of the victim keeping such high risk involved in termination of pregnancy has opted at her choice, along with the minor girl, to continue with the pregnancy till safer delivery of the baby upon completion of gestational period,” the order added.Following a request made by the petitioner’s counsel, the court also asked AIIMS, Bhubaneswar to undertake periodic check-ups and ensure safe delivery of the baby. It further ordered that all medicines, treatment and ancillary medical facilities for both mother and child be provided free of cost.
