State’ female foeticide solution: One more panel

As government considers forming yet another group to oversee fight against malpractice, medicos in city call exercise useless, demand strengthening of existing committees instead

State' female foeticide solution: One more panel

As government considers forming yet another group to oversee fight against malpractice, medicos in city call exercise useless, demand strengthening of existing committees instead

Theu00a0state government is mulling over a proposal to form yet another committee to prevent female foeticide. This, despite the fact that several committees exist already, right from the local corporation level to district and even state level, for implementation of the Pre-Conception Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, which is the law that prohibits and acts against sex selective abortions and tests.

Panel for Panels: To look after the implementation of the law that
prohibits sex-selective abortions and tests, the government is thinking
of forming a new committee. This new panel will also be tasked with
ensuring the existing committees work properly. Representation Pic

Speaking to MiD DAY, Dr Suresh Gupta, additional director (family welfare) said that the new committee is under consideration and will act as a go-between for the existing committees. "It will act as a central committee to look after all matters related to PCPNDT Act implementation and also see that existing committees work properly," he said.

Reacting to the development, experts said there was no need for any more committees and what was required was that the authorities just ensure the smooth functioning of the existing ones. "The state committee meets once in six months and no one has any idea what is going on there. The district and municipal corporation level committees meet regularly, but the members on it are not serious. Recently we learnt how certain members had not even attended a single meeting and these are the people who are supposed to give suggestions and take action on female foeticide. It's just the attitude that needs to change, nothing else," said a senior gynaecologist, requesting anonymity.

PMC CMO's order
Dr R R Pardeshi, chief medical officer of the PMC, has issued a stern letter to all medical officers and ward offices stating that any news on PCPNDT Act or any untoward events like discovery of dead foetuses found should be communicated to him immediately. The letter was a reaction to Tuesday's discovery of a dead foetus in a public toilet. After the discovery, the local medical officer had complained to the police but failed to inform the civic health chief, causing him embarrassment. "I have told all ward offices to report to me on immediate basis on any such news or else stern action will be taken against them," said Pardeshi.