Hyderabad: Getting X-rays, MRI, CT scans or sonographs will become difficult for patients in Hyderabad and across the state as many radiologists are set to join a nationwide strike on Thursday and suspended all but emergency services.
The strike was called by the Indian Radiological and Imaging Association (IRIA) to raise certain issues in amendments to the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act 1994.
Members of IRIA said that while other services will continue from Friday, ultrasound services will remain suspended indefinitely until their demands are met.
A major demand is graded penalties for various offences under the Act and not equating every error to the crime of sex determination. The IRIA claimed that around 700 radiologists across Telangana participated in the strike.
Dr E. Rajesh Kumar, general secretary, IRIA-Telangana, said, “Many ultrasound centres have been shut down, depriving radiologists of their livelihood. Some honest radiologists are even facing criminal proceedings because of minor mistakes like not wearing aprons, not possessing the handbook on PC and PNDT Act or non-display of notice boards. These are being treated on par with sex determination under the law and are considered non-bailable offences. Healthcare in India is primarily dependent on small and medium-sized private medical establishments since government healthcare facilities are inadequate. Despite that, if government officials continue to harass honest radiologists, then we are left with no option but to stop practicing."
The IRIA has also demanded that ultrasound machines should not be sealed and medical registration of radiologists should not be cancelled for minor errors. Renewal of registration should not be denied until a case is proven in a court of law.
