Latest news with #Pre-ConceptionandPre-NatalDiagnosticTechniques
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Nullifying violations of PCPNDT Act should be ensured, says Coimbatore collector
Coimbatore: Dr R M Meenakshi Sundari, the joint director (Acts) of the Directorate of Medical and Rural Health Services (DM&RHS), Chennai, has stressed the need to strictly enforce the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act. "Although the Act is in force, achieving 100% compliance remains a challenge," Dr Sundari said while addressing a one-day training programme for medical staff from across the Coimbatore region in the city on Thursday. Health officials, medical practitioners, and representatives of diagnostic centres from both government and private sectors from Tirupur, Nilgiris, Erode and Coimbatore districts participated in the programme. District collector Pavankumar G Giriyappanavar released an exclusive PCPNDT Act book during the programme. While addressing the participants, the collector said, "The Act pertains to addressing the ethical and social issues of sex determination of a child. Due to the effective enforcement of this Act, Tamil Nadu has been showing a better sex ratio when compared to other states. Even then, achieving 100% compliance and nullifying violations of this Act should be ensured, for which the training programme is necessary. The programme is organised to underscore the legal nuances and provide a platform to discuss the improvements or changes required in the Act. " Dr Sundari presented a few litigation cases from 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2008 that led to streamlining the Act and providing clarity on its enforcement.
The Hindu
30-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Crackdown on centres performing gender determination tests
Hyderabad District Collector Anudeep Durishetty has issued a stern warning that strict legal action will be taken against ultrasound scanning centres found conducting illegal gender determination tests. Addressing officials during a review meeting of the District Appropriate Authority Committee under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, the Collector highlighted the need for strict adherence to the law. The Collector also directed officials to intensify surveillance, instructing the formation of 15 teams to monitor the operations of scanning centres across the district. He advocated for more frequent decoy operations to catch violators and stressed the importance of documenting every pregnant woman's scan and submitting the data online on the same day. 'Only qualified doctors must conduct scans using approved equipment, and any changes in staffing, records, or machinery should be immediately reported to the District Medical and Health Officer,' he said. Violations will result in criminal cases and hefty fines, he said. Recent inspections have already led to action. An unauthorised scanning machine was seized from New Life Hospital in Secunderabad, and a case was registeredt. Similarly, Vivek Hospital in Saidabad was fined ₹2 lakh for operating two unregistered machines. In total, 26 centres were fined ₹50,000 each for various rule violations, with the warning that repeat offences would lead to registration cancellations, said a release. To strengthen public involvement, citizens have been urged to report any violations or suspicions related to gender determination through the toll-free number 1800-599-3366.
Hans India
29-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Officials Vow Strict Action Against Sex Determination: PCPNDT Act Reviewed in Jogulamba Gadwal
Gadwal: A District Advisory Committee meeting on the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994, was held at the District Medical and Health Department Office in Jogulamba Gadwal under the chairmanship of Dr. S.K. Siddappa, District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO). The meeting focused on reviewing the implementation of the PCPNDT Act and ensuring strict compliance across all departments. Addressing the gathering, Dr. Siddappa emphasized the urgent need to spread awareness at the field level about the ban on sex determination tests and the legal consequences of female foeticide. He urged officials from various line departments to engage with communities regularly to educate people about the Act, especially in rural and remote areas. Highlighting the seriousness of the issue, the DMHO stated that any person or medical professional found violating the PCPNDT Act would face up to 3 years of imprisonment, a fine of ₹50,000, and non-bailable charges. Repeat offenders could face 5 years in prison and fines up to ₹1 lakh. In addition, the licenses of medical practitioners and the registration of clinics involved could be suspended or permanently cancelled. Dr. Siddappa also called for widespread awareness of related laws, such as the POCSO Act and the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, which are crucial for protecting women and children's rights. He further advised that pregnant women experiencing mental health issues should be made aware of the 14416 toll-free helpline, which offers free mental health support. The meeting was attended by key health and welfare officials, including Dr. B. Damayanthi, Professor and HOD, Dr. G. Prasoona Rani, Maternal and Child Health Officer, Tanveer Rizwana, District Immunization Officer, Dr. G. Raju, Program Officer, NCVBDCP, K. Madhusudan Reddy, Deputy DEMO, P. Narendra Babu, DVLM, G. Narasayya, Health Assistant, and B. Narsinglu, District Child Protection Officer. Representatives from the Women and Child Welfare Department, the SAHKI One Stop Centre, and NGOs such as Parashuramudu also participated. The meeting concluded with a unanimous resolution to intensify interdepartmental cooperation, enhance monitoring mechanisms, and ensure that all diagnostic centers strictly adhere to the PCPNDT Act. Officials reiterated their commitment to protecting the rights of the girl child and improving the gender ratio in the district.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Sex ratio shows improvement in Sundargarh
Rourkela: The sex ratio at birth in Sundargarh district has shown a marked improvement, rising to 957 in 2024 from 934 in the previous year, officials announced at a district-level meeting on Wednesday. The district advisory committee and task force committee meeting on Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC&PNDT) Act, 1994, was chaired by district collector and magistrate Manoj Satyawan Mahajan, who expressed his satisfaction over the positive trend. During the meeting, officials reviewed the current status of ultrasound sonography (USG) clinics in the district and discussed registration and renewal procedures. The committee also addressed various aspects of implementing the PC&PNDT Act . "We will intensify IEC campaigns in low-performing areas," said Mahajan, who also serves as the district appropriate authority for PC&PNDT Act. He urged citizens to report any instances of illegal sex determination to his office or the chief district medical and public health officer. The meeting was attended by Dr Guruprasad Mahanta, chief district medical and public health officer, Dr Chulabati Sahu, additional district public health officer (family welfare) and other senior district officials. The district administration remains committed to preventing sex-selective practices and ensuring strict implementation of the PC&PNDT Act, officials said.
The Hindu
17-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Collector expresses concern over PCPNDCT Act violations in Chittoor district
Collector Sumit Kumar on Saturday expressed serious concern over the Medical and Health department's failure to check illegal sex-determination tests in Chittoor district, which surfaced a couple of days ago, leading to the arrest of five persons. Addressing the District-Level Advisory Committee meeting on the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act at the Collectorate, Mr. Sumit Kumar criticised the Medical and Health department officials for their lack of coordination and failure to monitor the criminal activity at the grassroots level. District Medical and Health Officer Sudha Rani, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) project officer Venkateswari, and senior officials from the wings of Immunisation, Drugs, and Women Police took part in the meeting. The Collector questioned the officials as to how the reports of illegal sex-determination tests were not reaching them. He observed that it was incompetent on the part of the officials that they could not carry out any field-level awareness camps through the paramedical staff and Anganwadi staff regarding the health status of pregnant women. 'It is unfortunate that, though ASHA and ANM workers operate at the community level, they were unaware of mothers with two or more daughters conceiving again. This is a critical indicator for potential sex-selective practices,' Mr. Sumit Kumar said. Referring to the poor sex ratio in Chittoor, with only 947 females per 1,000 males as per the latest census, the Collector observed that the situation was very alarming when compared to other districts. 'If this continues, the girl-child population would be at a high risk. Saving the girl child is our collective responsibility,' the Collector said. Sumit Kumar highlighted that the ICDS and the DM&HO should conduct joint review meetings with field staff of both the departments and bridge the gap in coordination. The Collector said that the mandals of Nagari, Vijayapuram, Nindra, Karveti Nagaram, Palamaner, Punganur, and V. Kota, which share porous borders with Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, were prone to higher instances of illegal abortions in private hospitals. He instructed the Drugs Department personnel to mount surveillance on the unauthorised clinics and medical stores selling drugs without prescriptions. 'Maintain a proper record of all the scanning centres and equipments available with them, along with daily reports of the patients visiting the units,' Mr. Sumit Kumar directed the police officials.
