Strike by Doctors against PCPNDT Act

Ludhiana, April 15, 2015: Representatives of Ludhiana Obstetric and Gynaecological Society (LOGS), Ludhiana Imaging and Diagnostic Centres Association (LIDA), Doctors Opposing Sex Selection Termination of Pregnancy (DOSST) and Indian Medical Association, Ludhiana today met the ADC,(D) Supreet Gulati and Civil Surgeon Dr Renu Chhatwal in the wake of the nationwide strike of  ultrasonologists against PCPNDT Act in its present form.

Doctors have given memorandum regarding PC/PNDT act. Main Doctors present in the meeting were Dr Neelam Sodhi- President LOGS, Dr JS Gill- President LIDA, Dr Gurneet S-Vice President LIDA, Dr Deepak P- Vice President IMA, Anakhvir Gill, Dr Naveen Preira, Dr Narjit Kaur, Dr Anantjit Kaur, Dr Lata Bawa, Dr Mahinder K, Dr Parminder Shah, Dr Nidhika, Dr Sumel K, Dr Sumeet Dhall, Dr AK Vohra, Dr Subash Singla, Dr Vyom, Dr Parveen Popli. Dr Archana Singla

Skewed sex ratio is a cause of concern for all sections of society.  Inspite  of PCPNDT  act being  in force  for  more  than  two  decades and  its strict  implementation rather over implementation  and  misuse , there is no significant change in sex ratio. The Ultra sound technology is an excellent diagnostic tool for medical fraternity and for patients and has played a significant role in bringing down perinatal morbidity and mortality and maternal morbidity rates.

It is very surprising  that  for all violations minor or  major  the punishment  is  same. Which means that  for any  clerical  mistake in  filling up  the form or  any  such minor errors  on one  hand and or actually doing  sex  determination, quantum of punishment is the same i.e. your  machine is  sealed , you are prosecuted. The demands include Ultra sound machine should not come under the purview of PCPNDT act, as it is basic requirement nowadays, for any violation of the PC/PNDT  act  the punishment should be  graded,  the parents  &  close  family members  who instigate  &  are  actually involved  in female  foeticide & infanticide  should  be booked  & punished  under the  law  for  murder, because this act  has  not  yielded the desired  results for the last two  decades,  So the actual reasons of  deteriorating sex  ratio – should be analyzed  & corrective action  should be taken, every pregnancy should be tracked from conception till delivery and every pregnant woman should be issued a Registration number by the Civil Surgeon office. The onus should be on the patient to register her pregnancy before the 10th week. This number should be a must for getting any scan done and should also be made compulsory for obtaining the birth certificate. This model can be started in Ludhiana city.