BENGALURU: In order to improve the poor sex ratio in the country, the government had in 2003 amended Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1994 (PNDT), but medical experts claim it has failed in its objectives and was creating inconvenience to healthcare providers.
“The Act has not helped the objective for which it was formulated and radiologists are often not willing to work for fear of imprisonment,” said Dr Alexander Thomas, the Executive Director of Association of Healthcare Providers, India (AHPI). Its intent was to curb the occurrence of sex selection and female feticide, but it has restricted the use of ultrasound technology which is also used for diagnosing other diseases, he added.
The use of ultrasound technology, which can be used in a variety of clinical settings, including obstetrics and gynecology, cardiology and cancer detection, has now been curtailed because of the Act. “A normal CT Scan costs almost Rs 4,000 and ultrasound for the same would cost just Rs 400, which is cheap and essential for the needy population,” Dr Thomas added. In addition, the provisions also recommend harsh punishment even for minor ‘clerical” mistakes.
“You cannot imprison doctors or gynaecologist for not filling up the form properly. Everyone knows that sex-determination is a crime and most of the gynaecologists adhere to the laws very firmly, but then there should be clear distinction between an offence and non-compliance. That clear distinction is not at all clear in the law making the job of gynaecologists and doctors very difficult,” said Dr Sheela Mane, Senior Consultant Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Anugraha Nursing Home. Dr Thomas, who is an orthopedician, said use of ultrasound machine was vital for his profession. “We register the machines, be it for us or cardiologists as per PC-PNDT Act. The Act requires giving monthly reports on patients’ details and others and if there is a clerical mistake, it is treated as a criminal offence and the machine is sealed. That is unfair,” he said.
Dr Sheela pointed out that “Many qualified doctors are opting not to do PNDT scans, thus creating a shortage of experts in ultrasonography. The control of ultrasonography through the PCPNDT Act has not resulted in improvement of the falling sex ratio.”
