Kathmandu, April 22 -- nine-year-old Gita Pandey from ward 2 of Bagnaskali Rural Municipality of Palpa district succumbed to complications on Sunday following an abortion.

Pandey had reached the Butwal-based Khatri Nursing Home about two weeks ago for a pregnancy test after her 12-week pregnancy was confirmed. She was told that the fetus was abnormal and was advised to undergo an abortion. She was asked to visit the nursing home last Friday for the procedure.

Pandey, who reached the nursing home with her husband, referred her to the Zonal Pharmacy Clinic at Hospital Line, Butwal. There, the pharmacist collected an advance payment, gave her two types of medicines, and asked her to return the next day for abortion. She, however, died duri...