In a significant move to curb illegal medical practices and ensure compliance with the law, Haryana’s health department has intensified its efforts to inspect medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) and ultrasound centres across the state. This directive was issued during a high-level review meeting chaired by Sudhir Rajpal, Haryana’s Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) for Health and Family Welfare, in Chandigarh.
The meeting, held on Tuesday, was attended by key officials from the health department and women and child welfare department. The primary focus was to assess the functioning of 1,513 MTP centres and 2,037 ultrasound centres operating in Haryana. Rajpal emphasized that strict monitoring and stringent actions would be taken against any centres found violating established norms.
Crackdown on Illegal Gender Determination Practices
One of the key highlights of the meeting was the strong stance against illegal sex determination practices. ACS Sudhir Rajpal made it clear that any MTP or ultrasound centre found engaged in unlawful activities, particularly prenatal sex determination, would face severe consequences. “Our priority is to maintain a balanced gender ratio in Haryana. If any doctor or medical professional is found indulging in unethical practices, their medical registration will be immediately revoked,” he stated.
The illegal practice of determining the gender of a fetus has been a pressing issue in Haryana, which has historically struggled with gender imbalance. The state has implemented several measures to prevent female foeticide and ensure the effective enforcement of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994. Despite these efforts, cases of illegal sex determination and subsequent gender-based abortions continue to surface.
Government’s Zero-Tolerance Policy
Reiterating the government’s zero-tolerance policy, Rajpal instructed district health authorities to maintain strict vigilance over all abortion-related cases. Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) across districts have been directed to track and analyze all abortion procedures to identify any potential irregularities. He further added that all ultrasound machines must be equipped with functional tracking systems, ensuring that authorities receive real-time SMS alerts if an illegal sex-determination test is conducted.
The authorities believe that implementing technological interventions such as GPS tracking of ultrasound machines and digital records for abortions will help curb unethical practices in MTP centres. Additionally, all private and government hospitals offering abortion services will be required to maintain detailed patient records to prevent illegal activities.
MTP and Ultrasound Centres Under Strict Scrutiny
With the 1,513 registered MTP centres and 2,037 functional ultrasound centres, the health department has a massive task ahead. The ACS has issued specific directives to ensure that these centres adhere to legal and ethical medical practices. Rajpal stressed that random inspections will be conducted across all districts. Any centre found violating norms, such as failing to maintain proper records or conducting unauthorized procedures, will face immediate action, including fines, license cancellations, and legal proceedings.
Additionally, healthcare professionals have been warned that repeat violations will result in permanent bans from medical practice. The Haryana Medical Council (HMC) has been instructed to take immediate action against any doctor found complicit in illegal abortions or gender determination.
Meeting Attendees and Implementation Strategy
The review meeting was attended by several key officials, including:
- Dr. Manish Bansal, Director of General Health Services
- Dr. Simmi, Director of Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PNDT)
- Dr. Mukta Kumar, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Panchkula
- Senior officers from the Health and Women & Child Development (WCD) Departments
These officials have been tasked with ensuring the strict implementation of government policies and closely monitoring medical facilities to identify and eliminate unethical practices.
Legal Framework Governing MTP and Ultrasound Centres
India has strict laws regulating abortion services and ultrasound diagnostics to prevent misuse and illegal practices:
-
Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971
- Legalizes abortion under specific circumstances (risk to mother’s health, fetal abnormalities, rape cases, etc.)
- Prohibits abortions after 24 weeks, except in special cases with legal approval
- Requires certified doctors and registered centres to conduct abortions
-
Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994
- Bans prenatal sex determination to prevent female foeticide
- Requires strict documentation for every ultrasound procedure
- Mandates tracking mechanisms for ultrasound machines
Under these laws, any violation can lead to fines, imprisonment, and cancellation of medical licenses.
Haryana’s Gender Ratio Challenge
Haryana has long struggled with an adverse gender ratio due to the prevalence of female foeticide and discriminatory social practices. According to government data, the state has seen improvements due to stringent laws, awareness campaigns, and incentives for girl child welfare. However, isolated cases of illegal abortions and gender-determination practices still occur, necessitating continuous monitoring and strict enforcement.
Public Awareness and Future Initiatives
Beyond inspections, the Haryana government is also focusing on public awareness campaigns to educate communities about the importance of gender equality. Some key initiatives include:
- “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” Campaign – A nationwide initiative promoting girl child education and empowerment
- Strict Monitoring of Ultrasound Centres – Ensuring real-time tracking and preventing gender-based abortions
- Financial Incentives for Girl Children – Providing support schemes for families to encourage female education and welfare
The Haryana government’s decision to inspect MTP and ultrasound centres marks a significant step toward eliminating illegal practices and ensuring gender justice. With strict policies, real-time monitoring, and public awareness, authorities aim to create a transparent and ethical medical system that upholds women’s reproductive rights while preventing misuse of medical technologies.
By implementing technological interventions, tracking mechanisms, and legal actions, the state is set on a path to ensuring compliance with laws and protecting unborn girl children. The health department’s firm stance serves as a warning to violators and a reassurance to citizens that Haryana is committed to fair and lawful medical practices.
