Hyderabad: Blaming radiologists for the skewed gender ratio is not going to solve the problem, the National Steering Committee of Radiologists has said. It wants the health ministry to make amendments in the new regulation so that the ultrasound clinics can operate without fear. The amendments proposed by the Centre has penal provisions like jail for clerical mistakes even if it is unrelated to gender selection, radiologists alleged.
A senior radiologist explained, “The job of the radiologist is to scan but not to take up the surgical removal of the foetus. That is done by the gynaecologist or the parents who sign a consent letter before abortion. How can we be blamed for the same?” Radiologists have to ensure that they do not reveal the sex of the foetus to the parents or the attendants when the woman comes for scanning, and that has to be followed in proper spirit, a doctor said.
With ultrasound being cost-effective, lifesaving and also efficient point-of-care it is also used in laparoscopic surgeries and other scanning which is not in the purview of PCPNDT Act. Radiologist Dr Suresh Kumar said, “In cases other than scanning of the foetus the provisions of sex determining ratio are not applicable and the radiologists must not be held responsible. We want the government to understand these fine points as making it difficult for the radiologist to practice will not solve the problem.”
Dr Sudhir Gupta, of the Indian Radiological and Imaging Association said, “We will wait till November for the changes but if there are no changes done than have no option but to go on strike.”
