The state has turned the heat on ultrasound centres involved in sex determination tests, in a bid to improve the worrisome mismatch in the sex ratio of Bihar.
There are 918 females for every 1,000 males, states the 2011 census.
In the past six months, the government has sealed 132 of 1,427 such registered ultrasound centres.
Last week, cases were lodged under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act of 1994 against 126 other centres across the state. In a couple of months, the department would co-ordinate with the ministry of health to conduct sting operations at the suspected ultrasound centres, said sources.
“The Supreme Court has strict guidelines against sex determination tests. Last week, the health department appealed to people to provide tip-offs about centres suspected of carrying out sex determination tests on three telephone numbers. State Health Society, Bihar, received around 10 tip-offs over telephone. Work is on to verify them. The administration and the civil surgeon of the district concerned were asked to do the check. If the tip-off is found true, strict action will be initiated against the centre,” a health official, wishing anonymity, told The Telegraph.
Sting operations are underway to make the crackdowns more effective. “The plan involves surprise checks and taking a woman, posing as pregnant, to suspected centres, offering them a hefty sum for a sex determination test. This plan would make the catches frequent and easier. The ministry of health has been contacted and they have assured help. A team of officials will come to Bihar and work with our team,” said another health official.
Most telephone tip-offs were received from Nalanda, Sitamarhi, Samastipur, East Champaran, Darbhanga and Patna districts. Officials said cases have been slapped against ultrasound centres for not conforming to the rules under the PCPNDT Act.
“Sex determination is not the only reason for sealing off the centres. Many do not have trained radiologist and employees or do not maintain any records of patients. The norms mandate that the centre should get a consent form filled up by the patient, which should be forwarded to the civil surgeon’s office. The patient’s details should be carefully noted and forwarded. The department will continue its clampdown on centres which do not follow the norms and carry out sex determination tests,” said R.P. Ojha, the additional secretary and spokesperson of the health department.
According to the 2011 census, the state’s population was 10.41 crore of which 54,278,157 were males and 49,821,295 females.
