Health Ministry Comes Down Heavily on Sex-selection Clinics

The Union health ministry has asked the Medical Council of India (MCI) to enforce a strict accreditation system for institutes that intend to educate people about the use of ultrasound machines. According to the Pre-conception & Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994, anybody who has undergone six months training or has one-year experience in sonography or image scanning is eligible to use an ultrasound machine.

This practice has led to the rise of several fake institutions which train people in sex selection using ultrasound machines. Many fake certificates are also being issued which is helping them thrive.

A ministry official said, "Many such fake institutes conduct 15-day courses that teach people how to do sex selection using ultrasound machines and hand them a six month or one-year certificate. MCI has been asked to prepare a framework that will specify which institutes will get accredited to conduct training for use of ultrasound machines, what would be the content of the training course and what kind of certification will be given."

Union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said, "I would expect that MCI would urgently ensure that guidelines for accreditation of training and experience are put in place quickly. MCI would also need to ensure that errant doctors are suspended and their registrations cancelled immediately."

All websites which publicise sex-selection techniques will also be closed.



Source-Medindia