Privacy and secrecy: how confidentiality works

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Why your privacy matters to us

Deciding to end a pregnancy is a private matter, and for many women it is one they would rather not discuss with anyone at all. We understand that completely. A great many of the women who come to us are unmarried, or are in situations they would prefer to keep to themselves, and they are cared for with exactly the same warmth and respect as anyone else. In India this care is lawful, and choosing it is your decision to make. Our job is to give you safe, dignified care and to guard your privacy while we do it. You will never be judged, cross-questioned about your reasons, or made to feel you owe anyone an explanation.

Who you will meet

One thing that reassures most people is how small the circle of those involved actually is. You are seen by Dr Mayur Pai and a small, trained clinical team — the same people throughout, not passed from desk to desk. You do not have to repeat your situation over and over to strangers. When you arrive you can ask for a discreet consultation, and you will be seen privately. If you would rather not sit in a general waiting area, tell us when you call or message us, and we will arrange things quietly for you. Everyone who cares for you is bound by medical confidentiality, and they take it seriously.

What is written down, and why

For your safety, some information does have to be recorded, because a doctor cannot give good, safe care with no notes at all. What we write is the medical detail that matters for your treatment and your follow-up: your health history, the examination and any tests, and the care given. We keep it to what is genuinely needed. We do not write down your personal story for others to read, and we do not collect details that have nothing to do with your medical care. A proper record also protects you — if you need to be seen again, the doctor looking after you will already know exactly what was done.

Where your records are kept

Your records are kept confidentially at the hospital, not left lying where others can see them and not passed around. Access is limited to the clinical team directly involved in your care. This is not merely our own house rule; confidentiality between a patient and a doctor is a basic duty of medical practice, and at a government-licensed facility it is taken as a given. If you ever want a copy of your own records, you are entitled to ask for it — they are yours.

Nothing is shared without your consent

This is the part most people want to hear plainly, so here it is plainly. We do not tell your family. We do not tell your husband or partner. We do not tell your parents, your friends, your college or your employer. If someone telephones the hospital asking about you — even someone who says they are a relative — we do not confirm that you are a patient and we do not share any information. Your care stays between you and your doctor. The only way your information leaves that circle is if you yourself ask us, in writing, to share it with a particular person. You can read more about our safe and legal abortion services and how they are carried out with your privacy protected.

Only your consent is needed

For an adult woman, the decision is yours and the consent needed is yours alone. You do not need your husband's permission, and you do not need your parents' permission. No one else has to sign, agree, or even be told. This is your right under the law — you can read more about the MTP Act in India, the law that governs this care. We will always explain everything to you clearly first, in a language you are comfortable with, and answer every question, so that the consent you give is truly informed. But the choice, and the signature, are yours.

The care itself is always in person, in Goa

It is important to be clear about one thing, because there is a great deal of confusion about it online. Any actual abortion care must be given in person, at our hospital in Goa. We do not send medicines by post or courier, and no part of the treatment is ever done over the phone or online. That is true whether the doctor advises the medicine route or the procedure route — both are carried out and supervised at the hospital, where you can be properly examined and safely looked after. A phone or online consultation has one useful purpose: it lets us understand your situation, tell you whether treatment is likely to be feasible, and guide you on the next step. The treatment itself is never done remotely. Handling it this way is not a formality; it is what keeps you safe, because a pregnancy has to be assessed in person before anything is done.

Dignity and quality first

We want to say one more thing about how we think about this work. Our focus is on safe, high-quality, dignified care, given by an experienced doctor in a hospital with its own facilities. Your privacy is part of that dignity, not an added extra. When you come to us you are a patient who deserves good medical care and discretion, and that is exactly how you will be treated. This guide is by Dr Mayur Pai, MBBS, MS (Obstetrics & Gynaecology).

Getting started

If you have any questions, or you would like to be seen, simply call or message us. You can tell us as much or as little as you like to begin with. Your first online consultation will tell you whether treatment is feasible and guide you on the next step, but please remember that to receive any care you must come to the hospital in Goa in person. Everything you share with us stays confidential. This article is for education only and is not personal medical advice; please consult your doctor about your own situation.

Or call +91 75582 52088 · 0832 251 3641

This page is for general education and is not personal medical advice. Treatment depends on your own examination and reports, so please speak to a doctor about your situation. We do not carry out or offer sex determination of any kind.