6.3% Increase in MTP

A total of 2,071 applications were registered at the Tehran Province’s Central Forensic Medicine last year (ended March 20) seeking permission for therapeutic abortion. Statistics indicate a 6.3% increase in the rate compared to the previous year, according to figures released by the organization, IRNA reported. Permission for termination of pregnancy was granted to nearly half the applicants. Legal permission for medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) is granted only on two grounds: fetal abnormality and existence of threat to mother’s life. Valid genetic testing, ultrasound, written consent of mother, and gestational period of less than 19 weeks of the fetus are mandatory for therapeutic abortion.