Teams to monitor pregnancy scanning centres to monitor sex ratio issues

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Feb 5, 2016 :  DK DC Adoor B Ibrahim has said that 16 teams have been formed for the effective implementation of Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act.

These teams will monitor the working of the scanning centres and hospitals in the district and check whether sex determination tests are being conducted during pregnancy.

The teams will visit these centres twice in a month.

Speaking at a meeting, DC Ibrahim said the teams should also diligently maintain the needed documents and follow the statutory requirements.

Violations : “The focus should be on cases related to termination of pregnancy. The teams will visit hospitals where the number of termination of pregnancy is high and then find out where the scanning was done for the women. If any instance of violation of Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act is noticed, then action will be initiated against both, the hospital and the scanning centres,”  stated DC A B Ibrahim.

The DC said that the teams should also look into the scanning centres that have been operating without permission from the authority concerned and submit a detailed report to the district administration on the illegally operated scanning centres along with the machineries used at the centres.

The decision to form 16 teams was taken following a meeting chaired by DC Ibrahim to discuss ways to check the decline in sex ratio among children below six years of age in the district. The teams will include the district health officer, the women and child welfare deputy director, the surgeon of the district Wenlock Hospital, the resident medical officer, the Superintendent of Lady Goschen Hospital, the taluk medical officers, officials from various departments and members of NGOs.

Report :   District Health Officer Dr Ramakrishna Rao said that the Mangaluru City Corporation officials, officials from the town municipal councils and taluk panchayats will submit a report on the number of private hospitals, clinics and scanning centres operating within their jurisdictions. 

Later the DC told media, that the ratio of 947 girls for 1,000 boys in the age group below six years in the district as per 2011-12 census was a matter of concern. “The prevailing system has failed to monitor the activities of scanning centres. Hence, 16 teams have been formed,” he explained.

The 16 teams have been empowered to conduct sting operations to record the evidences on violation of PCPNDT Act, the DC added.