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Sex determination tests on the rise
In the absence of regular inspections by the officials of the District Medical and Health department and police, sex determination tests and feticides are on the rise in the district. The illegal foetus scanning centres in the district are doing brisk business and their number has been increasing day-by-day
Kurnool: In the absence of regular inspections by the officials of the District Medical and Health department and police, sex determination tests and feticides are on the rise in the district. The illegal foetus scanning centres in the district are doing brisk business and their number has been increasing day-by-day. There are a total of 500 such illegal scanning centres in the district. However, only 190 centres have been shown in official records of the Medical and Health departments.
Highlights:
- 500 illegal scanning centres in the district
- 80% private clinics & scanning centres violating rules
Both central and state governments have banned sex determination tests on the pregnant women. Accordingly, no private hospital, clinic or scanning centre can reveal the sex of unborn babies. But the foetus scanning centres are violating the guidelines of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 2003, with impunity.
Recently, around four fetuses were found at Anand cinema theatre in the district headquarters where several private hospitals are located. According to sources, a private hospital had performed abortions on pregnant unwed mothers and buried the bodies of the infants secretly. Accidentally, some civic staff came across the dead bodies that were dragged out by pigs and stray dogs to be eaten and in no time, the news spread like wildfire in the society.
If any scanning centre, gynaecologist, physician or nurse violates the Act, they will be punished with three years imprisonment along with a penalty of Rs 10,000. Surprisingly, till date, no medical officials seized any hospital or scanning centre which violated the rules in the district.
It is alleged that the pregnant women, who already have female babies are approaching the private clinics and scanning centres to confirm the gender of the foetus. After scanning, the doctor tells her that she was carrying an infant girl in her womb. The couples are persuaded to go in for an abortion. With the consent of the couples, the doctor performs abortion.
Speaking to The Hans India here on Wednesday, District Medical and Health department officials said that they were inspecting all scanning centres and private hospitals regularly besides taking up special drives. The official warned that would seal the centres which were violating the rules laid by the government. Show cause notices would be issued to the hospitals that failed to provide complete information on the sex determination tests.
It is alleged that nearly 80 per cent private clinics and scanning centres in the district are not following rules in on this issue. When any of the officials question about the records and documents pertaining to scanning and sex determination tests, the staff at the scanning centres feign ignorance. It is high time that the Health department officials to take stringent action against those indulging in such unlawful activities.
By V Narendra Kumar
