The state health department has so far sealed 273 sonography centres and de-recognised 75 centres in the state  dealing in medical termination of pregnancy (MTP).

COMMERCIAL BREAK
SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING

The State Family Welfare Bureau (SFWB) last month started a drive against centres functioning illegally. SFWB director, Dr Suresh Gupta, said that as on July 15 a total of 6,174 sonography centres were inspected, of which 273 were sealed for violating provisions of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994.

“Similarly, a total of 2,041 MTP centres have been inspected so far and recognition of 75 centres has been withdrawn,” he added. With the girl child sex ratio declining in the state, the department undertook an inspection drive of all sonography, MTP centres and genetic laboratories to ensure that the provisions of the PCPNDT Act are being followed. “The drive started on June 13 in Beed district and was later extended to all districts in the state,” Gupta said.

According to him, the centres and the machines were sealed because the owners had failed to maintain proper records, or to submit mandatory reports, had failed to update F-forms, or had unregistered sonography machines, or conducted sonography by unauthorised doctors, or did not publicly display the mandatory instructions under PCPNDT Act.

“We will be continuing with this drive and will book erring doctors who commit breach of various provisions of the Act and practise illegal sex determination,” said Gupta.

He appealed to all centres to follow the provisions of the PCPNDT Act strictly and shun illegal sex determination tests. “In case centres or practitioners have any difficulty, they can contact us on 26058996. Complaints of illegal sex determination practices can be lodged on the toll-free number 18002334475,” Gupta said.