Dramatic spike in medical termination of pregnancies in Telangana raises questions

Government data shows MTPs in Telangana have tripled in two years, from 4,071 in 2022-23 to 16,059 in 2024-25. Doctors say cuts in maternal schemes like KCR Kits and KCR Nutrition may have contributed to the surge

Hyderabad: Telangana has recorded a dramatic surge in the number of Medical Terminations of Pregnancy (MTPs), particularly over the last two years.

Provisional data presented in the Rajya Sabha shows a steep rise, prompting questions about the factors influencing reproductive health decisions in the State.

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In 2022-23, Telangana reported 4,071 MTPs, which jumped to 12,365 in 2023-24 and further to 16,059 in 2024-25. The increase is stark when compared to 2020-21, when the figure was just 1,578.

The numbers in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh are comparatively lower, with 10,676 MTPs in 2024-25, 8,949 in 2023-24, and 8,446 in 2022-23.

Senior doctors say the surge poses a complex challenge to healthcare administration. Some suspect that the decision taken two years ago to curtail KCR Kits and the KCR Nutrition programme for mothers may have contributed to the trend.