Radiologists threaten nationwide strike from Sept 1 to protest harassment by Centre

Radiologists threaten nationwide strike from Sept 1 to protest harassment by Centre

Mumbaikars may again have to face hassle in performing ultra-sonography in private centres from September 1 as Indian Radiological and Imaging Association is planning to go a strike again across the country to protest against the harassment from government officials.

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"Under the PC and PNDT act, non-uniform implementations have resulted in sealing of many ultrasound machines depriving
radiologists of their livelihood and having to face criminal proceedings in court on minor clerical mistakes. It has become impossible for radiologists to practice with the fear of unfair prosecution under the act… if the harassment continues then the members of IRIA will be constrained to go on all India indefinite agitation from September 1," the association stated in a statement.

On June 21, radiologists went on an indefinite strike to protest against the harassment one of the radiologists faced in Pune when the corporation sealed three of his ultra-sonography machines under the PNDT Act. The doctor, Dr Avinash Jape, was accused of conducting a sex determination test on a woman who later aborted the foetus when she got to know that it was a girl.

The association claimed that Dr Jape had just conducted an ultra sonography on the patient and informed her about the abnormality of the foetus. Thus, he couldn't be held responsible if she went and aborted her foetus later at another clinic.

"Last time when we went for a strike, the state government fulfilled all the promises. But now, the central government that has been promising to make changes in the act hasn't lived up their promise. So, we are now going for a Pan-India strike," said Jignesh Thakker,national PCPNDT coordinator.