Latest news with #SudhirRajpal
Time of India
4 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.
Hindustan Times
18-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Haryana to shoots off notices on 393 anganwadi workers over illegal abortions
Haryana health department on Tuesday decided to issue show-cause notices to 393 anganwadi workers whose areas reported cases of illegal abortions, involving pregnant women who already had one or more daughters. The decision was taken during a review meeting chaired by additional chief secretary (health) Sudhir Rajpal, who assessed the progress of the ongoing campaign against illegal abortions, illegal sex determination tests and misuse of Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) kits. A government spokesperson said that these anganwadi workers were assigned as SAHELIs (companions) to provide counselling and support to expectant mothers with daughters, under a targeted monitoring programme. The show-cause notices were recommended due to their failure to prevent or report illegal abortions in their designated areas. The SAHELI initiative, part of the state's strategy to combat female foeticide, assigns an ASHA or anganwadi worker to monitor and support each pregnant woman who already has one or more daughters. Over 50,000 such women are currently being tracked across the state by civil surgeons and health officials. Rajpal directed the women and child development department to take immediate action against the negligent workers and to intensify efforts to prevent sex-selective practices. He also ordered strict surveillance of all MTP and ultrasound centres to curb illegal sex determination and abortion procedures. The ACS also called for 100% registration of births, especially in districts like Mewat, Gurugram, Palwal and Faridabad, where underreporting of child birth is common. He also instructed deputy chief medical officers to organise birth registration camps in slum areas and mobilise inter-district inspection teams to investigate any complaints of illegal abortions or sex selection. Officials were also asked to actively involve NGOs, ASHA workers, panchayati raj representatives and community leaders in promoting the 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' campaign, aimed at improving the status of girl children in the state.
Hindustan Times
11-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
MTP kit sales plummet in Haryana after crackdown
Following a state-wide crackdown on the sale of abortion pills--both legal and illegal--in the last four months, there has been a dramatic fall in the demand for medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) kits across Haryana, official data shows. From a peak of 40,763 MTP kits supplied by 32 wholesalers in the first fortnight of March, across 22 districts to retail medical shops and the certified MTP centres, the figures have nosedived to near-zero in at least 19 districts by early June, according to the official data compiled by the state Food and Drugs Administration (FDA). The data shows that 30,877 MTP kits were sold by the wholesalers in the second fortnight of March, and it came down to 25,721 between April 1 and April 15. Of the total 1,02,752 MTP kits sold between March 1 and June 9, as many as 87,770 MTP kits were sold by two Sonepat based wholesalers. While 10 districts have one each wholesaler, Ambala and Faridabad district have five each wholesalers of MTP Kits, followed by four in Panchkula and three each in Gurugram and Rohtak. This crackdown, spearheaded by additional chief secretary (health) Sudhir Rajpal, is a part of a broader strategy to prevent sex-selective abortions through coordinated monitoring. After Rajpal set up the State Task Force (STF) on February 6 and began cracking the whip to improve Haryana's sex ratio at birth (SRB) under the flagship Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao campaign, authorities have also seized about 8,800 MTP kits being sold illegally, registered over 50 FIRs, including at least 18 against online sellers of the MTP kits. According to Haryana state drug controller Manmohan Taneja, the FDA's data analysis shows 'no recorded sales of MTP kits in several key periods after mid-May', with the exception of a few pockets such as Gurugram, Faridabad, Ambala and Yamunanagar, which still reported some activity, though far reduced. 'The FDA has directed the wholesalers not to sell MTP kits to medical shops even as they can directly supply the kits to registered MTP centres. Ever since the crackdown began, we have been tracking the sale of MTP kits from wholesale suppliers to MTP centers and the patients to whom it was given. Now every MTP kit sold is being tracked up to the patient who was prescribed the medicine by the MTP center,' said Taneja. Enforcement action As per the FDA data, between February 11 and June 9, a total of 27 medical shops were sealed across the state for selling MTP kits illegally. In addition, FIRs were registered against 29 individuals and establishments for violations under the MTP Act and related laws. These included medical stores, nursing homes, and unregistered practitioners operating without authorisation in districts such as Gurugram, Faridabad, Panipat, Palwal and Rohtak. The accused were booked under Sections 3, 4 and 5 of the MTP Act, along with provisions of the Essential Commodities Act and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, where applicable. The violations under the MTP Act are punishable with rigorous imprisonment ranging from two to seven years. These offences are cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable. FDA officials said the crackdown was aimed at curbing the illegal distribution and misuse of abortion pills, particularly in areas where unregulated sales were rampant. 'We have acted swiftly against violators and will continue our surveillance to ensure that MTP kits are sold only through authorised channels and with valid prescriptions,' an FDA officer said. The steep fall in sales figures is being viewed as a success by the state government in regulating access to abortion drugs, though public health experts have cautioned that legitimate access for women in need must not be hampered in the process.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
All abortions in last 6 months under govt lens as Gurgaon bottom of SRB table
Gurgaon: Haryana govt has directed authorities in four districts with the state's lowest sex-ratio at birth (SRB) – Gurgaon, Palwal, Karnal and Charkhi Dadri – to scrutinise all abortion cases in the past six months to check for any signs of illegal practices. Haryana govt's latest data for Jan-June 2025 ranked Gurgaon at the bottom of the list, with SRB at 855. SRB in Charkhi Dadri was logged at 859, Palwal 874 and Karnal 906. Sex-ratio at birth (SRB) is the count of girls born for every 1,000 boys. Additional chief secretary (health and family welfare) Sudhir Rajpal on Tuesday directed these districts to review all medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) cases, and investigate further if there is any suspicion of pre-natal sex determination. Civil surgeons have been asked to oversee the probe. Rajpal sought reports on abortion cases from senior medical officers (SMOs) deployed at community health centres across Haryana. Disciplinary action was initiated against the SMO of Uttawar in Palwal for dereliction of duty after the state task force identified several lapses in protocol at the facility. Tuesday's orders are the latest in a series of measures announced amidst growing concern over declining SRB in Haryana. In 2024, thirteen out of the state'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. Govt has warned doctors that any involvement in pre-natal sex determination or illegal abortions will prompt authorities to cancel their medical licences. Similarly, health department officials have been tasked to identify quacks who pose as doctors and facilitate abortions. Rajpal also directed the deputy commissioners of the four districts to crackdown on illegal abortion centres and halt any unauthorised sale of abortion kits. Chief medical officers and senior health officials will be held accountable if these districts don't improve their SRB, Rajpal said. Govt has told community health workers – in an initiative called 'SAHELI' – to counsel pregnant women against any reluctance to have a girl child. Community health staffers will also be held responsible if illegal abortions are carried out under their watch, the ACS said at the meeting on Tuesday. Districts have been told to take police help for raids at suspected abortion centres. And the ACS on Tuesday issued show-cause notices to DSPs of the four districts for negligence in duty. "Officials have been instructed to track repeat offenders and monitor their activities closely. Additionally, all IVF centres in the state will undergo data revalidation and operational audits to detect and prevent illegal sex selection practices," said Rajpal. According to govt data, recent measures have shown some improvement. Haryana's SRB improved to 943 in the first week of June, from 910 last year. The number of MTP kit wholesalers in Haryana has also dropped to 3, from 32, in the past six weeks.
Hindustan Times
04-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Haryana: Intensify enforcement measures against illegal abortions, health officials told
The Haryana health department will intensify enforcement measures against illegal abortion practices and take strict action against doctors found guilty of such violations, including cancellation of their licences. Additional chief secretary (ACS), health, Sudhir Rajpal on Tuesday asked officials to focus on BAMS doctors and unqualified practitioners (quacks) involved in illegal abortions, particularly in Karnal, Palwal, Gurugram and Charkhi Dadri districts. The ACS directed officials to involve deputy commissioners and launch a crackdown on establishments involved in illegal medical termination of pregnancy in these districts. Officials were also directed to coordinate with police authorities and request the DGP to constitute a dedicated task force to combat illegal abortions. The ACS who on Tuesday chaired a weekly meeting of the State Task Force formed for improving sex ratio also ordered disciplinary action against the district monitoring and evaluation officer and deputy CMO of Faridabad for negligence in duty. The officials were also directed to create unique pregnancy IDs to track every pregnancy and ensure more accurate data of pregnant women. Registration of a doctor from Kurukshetra has also been recommended for cancellation by the Haryana Medical Council after he was allegedly found complicit in malpractices, said an official statement. An official spokesperson said that during the past week (May 27 to June 2), inspections were conducted across the state over the illegal sale of Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) kits in which two MTP kits were seized and an FIR was registered. The number of wholesalers selling MTP kits has been reduced from 32 to five within a month in Haryana and the sale trend of MTP kits has seen a significant decline in 16 districts of the state, the spokesperson said. One firm has also been given notice under Drug and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, for violation of rules and legal proceedings shall be launched against it. 4 nursing homes sealed in Palwal Four nursing homes in Palwal where illegal abortions were being carried out by quacks were raided and sealed by a team of the health department. An FIR has been registered and the accused have been arrested, the spokesperson said.
