Latest news with #PCPNDTAct
The Hindu
7 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Just 10% of target met, govt. plans sex determination inspection reboot
The Delhi government is planning to increase inspections at clinics and diagnostic centres to curb sex determination tests after meeting just 10% of the target. Only 715 inspections out of the planned 7,096 were conducted between April 2024 and March 2025 across 1,774 medical facilities in the city that are registered under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994, according to the Health Department's annual report. To address this gap, the department will urge district authorities to prioritise inspections under the Act and form additional teams to conduct them, officials said. The Act mandates quarterly inspection of every clinic, with penalties including fines and imprisonment for those conducting sex determination tests. Though Delhi fell short of its annual target, it was still an improvement from the previous year, when just 455 inspections took place across 1,737 facilities such as diagnostic centres, speciality clinics, maternity and ultrasound centres, and IVF clinics and hospitals. Action against violators In March, Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh had launched a web portal to enhance action against violators of the Act. He said Delhi being the Capital must lead by example in eliminating sex determination practices. The Act applies to medical practitioners (geneticists, gynaecologists, paediatricians, sonologists, radiologists, and imaging specialists) and owners of facilities (genetic counselling centres, genetic clinics, and laboratories), imposing penalties for violations. While ultrasound machines can be used to detect genetic abnormalities and other disorders, using them for sex determination is prohibited under the Act. In 2024-2025, authorities took action against violators, issuing 70 show-cause notices, suspending 13 clinics, cancelling 53 registrations, and sealing 22 ultrasound machines. According to the district annual report, inspections remained low across districts, with the percentage of targets met ranging from 5.69% in North West district to 15.88% in West district. Under the Act, the Central government has to appoint one or more Appropriate Authorities for implementing its provisions. According to a 2014 gazette notification, Delhi's Deputy Commissioners and District Magistrates were designated as Appropriate Authorities in their respective districts. Despite attempts via e-mails and calls, The Hindu received no response from authorities across 11 districts on the low rate of inspection. Impact on sex ratio Delhi's sex ratio at birth improved from 896 in 2014 to 922 in 2023, according to the Civil Registration System data. However, despite the overall improvement over the decade, the ratio has been declining steadily since 2020, from 933 that year to 932 in 2021, 929 in 2022, and 922 in 2023. Dr. Neelam Singh, a gynaecologist and member of the National Inspection and Monitoring Committee, constituted under the PCPNDT Act, stressed the importance of quarterly inspections. 'Every clinic is to be checked quarterly and a report is to be made,' she said. She noted that increased inspections in States such as Haryana, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra have led to improved sex ratios, suggesting that stricter enforcement can deter sex determination practices. Doctors at Delhi clinics report that despite the Act being in place for 30 years, they still receive requests to determine the sex of a child, although such requests have decreased over time. A gynaecologist on condition of anonymity said about 10% of couples still request sex determination, but are counselled on its illegality. She said some couples opt to travel to countries like Thailand or the UAE, where sex determination is allowed and gender disclosure is standard practice. 'Ramp up efforts' 'Of late, district authorities are saying they are preoccupied with other tasks,' a Health Department official said, adding that the department will urge them to form more inspection teams and prioritise inspections to improve the sex ratio. The official explained that inspections also include monitoring advertisements for sex determination, random checks of Form F (a mandatory record to track ultrasound scans, where patients and doctors declare no sex determination is done), and noting inconsistencies like missing records. Inspections may also include decoy operations, the official said.
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.
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.
The Hindu
24-05-2025
- The Hindu
Sri Sathya Sai Collector warns against gender determination tests
Sri Sathya Sai District Collector T.S. Chetan on Saturday (May 24) said gender determination test is a criminal offense under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act (PCPNDT Act, 1994) and warned of action against scanning centres conducting the tests and those encouraging it. He was addressing medical and paramedical staff and individuals and entities working against gender determination test at an event in the collectorate. 'The departments of medical and health, women and child welfare, civic bodies, revenue and police as well as NGOs should strive to enforce the law,' he said, adding that searches should be carried out frequently in scanning centres suspected to be conducting such tests. Mr. Chetan said scanning centres violating the Act would be sealed and the operators would face serious legal consequences, including imprisonment. Additional District Judge K. Shailaja underscored the need for maintaining strict surveillance across the border areas with Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The Collector also reviewed the birth and death records at civic bodies and private nursing homes. He directed the District Medical and Health officer to submit a report on mandal-level sex ratio.
Hans India
18-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Chittoor collector slams officials over illegal sex determination tests
Chittoor: Chittoor district Collector Sumit Kumar has expressed strong dissatisfaction over the lack of coordination between government departments in preventing illegal sex determination tests being carried out in violation of the PCPNDT Act, 1994. Chairing the District Level Advisory Committee meeting on Saturday, the Collector questioned why health officials were unaware of such critical violations happening for a long time in the district. He pointed out that despite the presence of grassroots workers like ASHAs and ANMs, there was no awareness when a woman conceived for the third time after having two girl children—a crucial indicator in such cases. 'Why is this information not reaching the department? Why haven't departments like Health and Women & Child Welfare held coordination meetings over the past ten years involving CDPOs and medical officers?' the Collector asked. He noted that even the way Anganwadi workers distribute nutritional supplements to pregnant women could be a clue to their health condition—an area being overlooked due to poor inter-departmental coordination. To better understand field-level issues, he directed that two senior district officials personally interact with ASHAs, ANMs, and Anganwadi workers. He urged the health department staff to work responsibly to curb illegal sex determination practices. He also highlighted that regions bordering other states like Nagari, Palamaner, Punganur, and V Kota – had a higher incidence of unauthorised abortions in private hospitals. The DM&HO was directed to hold division-wise meetings with RMP doctors to address the issue. Field-level officers were also instructed to conduct visits and gather ground realities. Additionally, the Collector instructed the Drugs Inspector to ensure that no medical shop dispenses medicines without a doctor's prescription. He also responded to concerns raised by the Women's Police CI regarding unauthorised sale of scanning machines and ordered a complete review of related records. DM&HO Dr DT Sudha Rani, ICDS PD Venkateswari, DIO Dr C Hanumantha Rao, District Superintendent of Medical Services Dr Ushashree, Drugs Inspector Keerthana, CI Maheswar and SI Nagasoujanya from the Women's Police Station, along with other relevant officials were present.
