Latest news with #ProhibitionofSexSelection)Act
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Haryana govt steps up checks on IVF centres to curb gender tests
Gurgaon: In a fresh crackdown on , the health department has intensified surveillance on IVF centres. The action against IVF centres — suspected of carrying out procedures to select the sex of embryos — won't be limited to state borders. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Last year, 13 of 22 districts saw a fall in the sex ratio at birth, taking the state's overall sex ratio at birth (SRB) for the year to 910, which was its lowest since the year 2016. To curb sex-selective practices spilling into neighbouring states, govt officials have been directed to strengthen inter-district coordination with Delhi, Punjab and Rajasthan, particularly in border areas where residents may be accessing such services outside Haryana's boundaries. The move comes amid ongoing efforts to improve the SRB under the 'Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao' campaign. At a meeting of the state task force (STF) aimed at improving the sex ratio in Chandigarh, additional chief secretary (health) Sudhir Rajpal on Tuesday issued clear instructions to track IVF centres engaged in preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) and illegal sex-selection procedures, banned under the law. PGT allows would-be parents to choose the sex of IVF embryos for family planning or genetic concerns, which is banned under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act. Rajpal also called for intensified enforcement and raids in districts where the sex ratio remains below the state average. As part of the broader campaign, the govt is also reshaping how it monitors community-level support. SAHELIs (women health volunteers), associated with pregnant women who deliver safely, will be rewarded with incentives. Those linked to abortion cases may face disciplinary action. The health and women and child development departments have jointly launched park rallies across districts, where banners displaying local sex ratios are being used to raise awareness. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Social media campaigns led by the deputy commissioner's official handles are also amplifying the message on digital platforms. Meanwhile, birth registration drives have been rolled out in low-income areas to ensure every child, especially girls, is recorded and brought under the state system. Rajpal ordered increased surveillance of community health centres, saying senior medical officers (SMOs) would be held accountable for any illegal practices reported in their jurisdictions. He warned non-compliant SMOs of disciplinary action, including being barred from leaving their stations and directed the creation of a blacklist for such officers. He also said that Haryana's sex ratio improved to 906 during the period of Jan 1 to June 30, up from 904 in the corresponding period last year. In April this year, the govt revoked registrations of 300 abortion centres and initiated action against over a dozen health department officials. These centres did not send weekly data on abortions and did not disclose reasons for allowing termination of pregnancy in some cases. The govt has also directed all districts to register pregnancies and investigate any abortions beyond 12 weeks, particularly in cases in which the couple has one or more daughters. Civil surgeons have been instructed to lead these investigations and maintain a close watch.
Time of India
24-06-2025
- 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.
Time of India
05-06-2025
- 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.
