Latest news with #Pre-ConceptionandPre-NatalDiagnosticTechniques
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
‘Awareness of PCPNDT Act key to reducing female foeticide'
Madurai: Health department staff including gynaecologists and radiologists are often not well-versed with the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act due to which they face various legal issues, said Dr J Rajamoorthy, Director of Medical and Rural Health Services (DMS). He was speaking at a special meeting and training workshop for health department staff of Madurai and five other southern districts here on Wednesday. "It also leads to female foeticide . In some districts like Dharmapuri and Salem, the sex ratio is such that there are much fewer girls than boys. Steps taken because of this act have greatly helped reduce female foeticide in recent times," he added. He said awareness among public and health staff about the Act is key to reducing female foeticide and improving sex ratio at birth. Experts highlighted the legal provisions and their importance in preventing prevalence of quackery as well. The workshop was part of an initiative announced in the assembly by the health minister Ma Subramanian to create awareness and educate health department staff on PCPNDT Act and bring down female foeticide. On the discreet or symbolic methods being used by scan centres to reveal the sex of unborn foetus, the DMS said practising doctors can face punishments in case of violations even if the patient was willing. Dr K Senthil, state president, TNGDA, elaborated on Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act as well. Dr R Selvaraj, JDHS, Madurai, Dr L Arul Sundaresh Kumar, dean, Madurai Medical College, and officials and staff from Dindigul, Theni, Ramanathapuram, Sivanganga, and Virudhunagar districts were present. A handbook on PCPNDT Act was released and distributed to all participants.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Latest in crackdown to improve SRB: FIRs against former CMO, senior medical officer
Gurgaon: The health department on Tuesday initiated penal and disciplinary action against its officials in Charkhi Dadri and Bhiwani for poor performance in improving sex-ratio at birth (SRB), and cancelled the registration of an AYUSH practitioner in Sonipat for allegedly facilitating illegal abortions. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Officials said cases under sections Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act were registered against a former chief medical officer (CMO) of Charkhi Dadri and a senior medical officer (SMO) in Bhiwani after inspections showed that SRB in the areas under these officials was low. Another FIR was registered and the registration of an AYUSH practitioner in Sonipat's Kharkhoda was cancelled for alleged involvement in illegal abortions. The directions – the latest measures announced by Haryana govt to improve SRB -- were issued in a weekly meeting of the state task force (STF) headed by additional chief secretary (health) Sudhir Rajpal in Chandigarh on Tuesday. The STF was formed to crack down on any illegal practices that worsen Haryana's SRB. Last year, thirteen out of Haryana's 22 districts reported a drop in the number of girls born per 1,000 boys, bringing the state's overall SRB down to 910 — the lowest since 2016. ACS Rajpal, at the meeting on Tuesday, directed health officials to ensure strict surveillance at ultrasound and abortion centres, fix accountability on SMOs in low-performing areas and intensify reverse tracking in cases where women report to hospitals with bleeding symptoms, a possible indicator of unregistered abortions. The STF meeting also focused on facilitating awareness programmes under the central govt's Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign in urban areas. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Rajpal directed officials to involve district administrations and RWAs in outreach programmes, and said CMOs can deploy staffers to organise campaigns in parks and other community spaces. "In addition, urban local bodies will be actively involved in efforts to curb illegal abortions. For this purpose, nodal officers from ULBs will be appointed to support awareness initiatives. Further, postgraduate students of social and preventive medicine in medical colleges will be engaged in urban areas to strengthen community awareness and outreach efforts," said Rajpal. The health department, between June 17 and 23, carried out 28 inspections across the state to curb illegal sale of abortion kits. It sealed one shop in Gurgaon and filed two cases for illegal sale. In April this year, the govt revoked registrations of 300 abortion centres and initiated action against over a dozen officials. These centres did not send weekly data on abortions and did not disclose reasons for allowing termination of pregnancy in some cases. Govt has also directed districts to register pregnancies and investigate any abortions beyond 12 weeks.
The Hindu
15-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Just 10% of target met, govt. plans sex determination inspection reboot
The Delhi government is planning to increase inspections at clinics and diagnostic centres to curb sex determination tests after meeting just 10% of the target. Only 715 inspections out of the planned 7,096 were conducted between April 2024 and March 2025 across 1,774 medical facilities in the city that are registered under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994, according to the Health Department's annual report. To address this gap, the department will urge district authorities to prioritise inspections under the Act and form additional teams to conduct them, officials said. The Act mandates quarterly inspection of every clinic, with penalties including fines and imprisonment for those conducting sex determination tests. Though Delhi fell short of its annual target, it was still an improvement from the previous year, when just 455 inspections took place across 1,737 facilities such as diagnostic centres, speciality clinics, maternity and ultrasound centres, and IVF clinics and hospitals. Action against violators In March, Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh had launched a web portal to enhance action against violators of the Act. He said Delhi being the Capital must lead by example in eliminating sex determination practices. The Act applies to medical practitioners (geneticists, gynaecologists, paediatricians, sonologists, radiologists, and imaging specialists) and owners of facilities (genetic counselling centres, genetic clinics, and laboratories), imposing penalties for violations. While ultrasound machines can be used to detect genetic abnormalities and other disorders, using them for sex determination is prohibited under the Act. In 2024-2025, authorities took action against violators, issuing 70 show-cause notices, suspending 13 clinics, cancelling 53 registrations, and sealing 22 ultrasound machines. According to the district annual report, inspections remained low across districts, with the percentage of targets met ranging from 5.69% in North West district to 15.88% in West district. Under the Act, the Central government has to appoint one or more Appropriate Authorities for implementing its provisions. According to a 2014 gazette notification, Delhi's Deputy Commissioners and District Magistrates were designated as Appropriate Authorities in their respective districts. Despite attempts via e-mails and calls, The Hindu received no response from authorities across 11 districts on the low rate of inspection. Impact on sex ratio Delhi's sex ratio at birth improved from 896 in 2014 to 922 in 2023, according to the Civil Registration System data. However, despite the overall improvement over the decade, the ratio has been declining steadily since 2020, from 933 that year to 932 in 2021, 929 in 2022, and 922 in 2023. Dr. Neelam Singh, a gynaecologist and member of the National Inspection and Monitoring Committee, constituted under the PCPNDT Act, stressed the importance of quarterly inspections. 'Every clinic is to be checked quarterly and a report is to be made,' she said. She noted that increased inspections in States such as Haryana, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra have led to improved sex ratios, suggesting that stricter enforcement can deter sex determination practices. Doctors at Delhi clinics report that despite the Act being in place for 30 years, they still receive requests to determine the sex of a child, although such requests have decreased over time. A gynaecologist on condition of anonymity said about 10% of couples still request sex determination, but are counselled on its illegality. She said some couples opt to travel to countries like Thailand or the UAE, where sex determination is allowed and gender disclosure is standard practice. 'Ramp up efforts' 'Of late, district authorities are saying they are preoccupied with other tasks,' a Health Department official said, adding that the department will urge them to form more inspection teams and prioritise inspections to improve the sex ratio. The official explained that inspections also include monitoring advertisements for sex determination, random checks of Form F (a mandatory record to track ultrasound scans, where patients and doctors declare no sex determination is done), and noting inconsistencies like missing records. Inspections may also include decoy operations, the official said.
Indian Express
11-06-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Haryana's crackdown on illegal abortions: Drastic drop in sale of pregnancy termination kits shows it's working
Amid ongoing efforts by Haryana authorities to curb illegal abortions, the sale of MTP (medical termination of pregnancy) kits has seen a sharp decline over the past three months. Compared to the 40,763 kits sold in a fortnight in March, the number has now plummeted to just 470 in the most recent fortnight. Concerned about the state's declining sex ratio—910 girls per 1,000 boys at birth in 2024, the lowest in eight years—authorities have intensified their crackdown on the illegal sale of MTP kits. Along with restricting unauthorised sales, officials are closely monitoring transactions from licensed wholesalers. The state has 32 authorised wholesalers that sell MTP kits to registered MTP centres. Official data shows that between March 1 and 15, Haryana recorded the sale of 40,763 MTP kits, with a staggering 39,000 kits sold in the Sonipat district alone. The trend continued in early April, with 25,721 kits sold between April 1 and 15. However, the numbers declined drastically, with only 1,492 kits sold from April 16 to 28, and further dropping to just 470 between May 27 and June 9. State Drug Controller Manmohan Taneja, speaking to The Indian Express, stated that wholesalers have been instructed to sell MTP kits only to authorised MTP centres and strictly on the recommendation of a registered medical practitioner. 'We have mandated record-keeping for every tablet, and any violations will be dealt with strictly,' Taneja emphasised. During a meeting of the State Task Force (STF) chaired by Haryana's Additional Chief Secretary for Health, Sudhir Rajpal, on Tuesday, officials reported that 29 wholesalers recorded zero sales of MTP kits between June 3-9. In April, Rajpal directed authorities to compile lists of MTP kit wholesalers and their stock, ensuring that sales are restricted exclusively to registered MTP centres. He also ordered inspections of centres conducting MTP procedures on pregnant women with two live girl children, warning that those found guilty of female feticide would face closure. Rajpal further stressed the urgent need for action on show-cause notices issued to MTP centres, urging immediate license cancellations for gynaecologists found complicit in sex-selective abortions. To enforce the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC&PNDT) Act more stringently, the state has either revoked or seen the voluntary withdrawal of registrations for 300 out of 1,500 MTP centres. Officials caution that terminating a pregnancy can be done surgically or with MTP kits, but self-administering these medications without medical supervision poses severe health risks. Illegal MTP kits, according to sources, are worsening sex-selective abortions in Haryana, exacerbating the already skewed sex ratio. Taneja previously explained that an MTP kit consists of five tablets—one mifepristone and four misoprostol—both classified as Schedule-H drugs, meaning a valid prescription from a registered medical practitioner (RMP) is required for purchase. Kit packaging clearly warns: 'To be used only under the direct supervision of a gynaecologist.' Officials anticipate that the impact of recent initiatives will become evident by August-September, leading to an improvement in the sex ratio at birth. For the week of June 3-9 this year, the child sex ratio at birth was recorded at 943 girls per 1,000 boys. During a State Task Force (STF) meeting on May 20, the sex ratio for the preceding week was noted at 922, while on April 10, it stood at 911 girls per 1,000 boys. However, officials involved in the campaign emphasise that these figures reflect temporary fluctuations and suggest waiting a few more months to assess a meaningful and sustained change in the sex ratio at birth. Sukhbir Siwach's extensive and in-depth coverage of farmer agitation against three farm laws during 2020-21 drew widespread attention. ... Read More
Hindustan Times
11-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Suspended Haryana SMO reinstated after 57 days
The Haryana government has reinstated suspended senior medical officer (SMO), Dr Prabhu Dayal after a period of 57 days. Dr Dayal who was the nodal officer for Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC-PNDT) Act in Hisar was placed under suspension for 'not doing enough to stem the dip in the state's sex ratio'. A June 5 order issued by the state government said that Dr Prabhu Dayal who was placed under suspension on April 9 is reinstated in service with immediate effect without prejudice to the disciplinary proceedings pending against him. On his reinstatement, Dr Dayal was posted at Civil Hospital, Hisar against a vacant post, the order said. The Haryana Civil Medical Service (HCMS) association had written to the state government seeking revocation of Dr Dayal's suspension. In a communication to the additional chief secretary, health, the HCMS association had said that Dr Dayal's suspension caused severe mental trauma and defamation not only for the doctor but for the whole HCMS cadre. 'The manner and circumstances under which Dr Dayal was suspended without preliminary inquiry or explanation is demoralising for the medical fraternity. We believe that the role of a PC-PNDT nodal officer is a challenging one and must be supported by the administration. Such a punitive action has sent a wrong message to the whole cadre and it will be very difficult to carry out the duties under PC-PNDT Act under such circumstances. This will adversely affect the programme,' said the HCMS association communication.
