Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB/EP)

Udupi, Dec 9: Prenatal sex determination is banned in India, one of the primary reasons for the ban was that the child sex ratio was dropping at an alarming rate. Speaking on the matter district deputy commissioner G Jagadeesha said, “Care should be taken to avoid disparity in the ratio of male and female children in the district. There are 956 female children against 1,000 male children at present. Prenatal sex determination of the foetus is a punishable offence. Those found guilty will be sentenced to three years in jail."

He was speaking after presiding at a meeting regarding lapses by the committee of the district registration authority at private medical institutions.

“Scanning centres should function as per government guidelines. District-level committees should conduct surprise visits at these centres and monitor their activities. Those who provide definite information regarding the centres that are revealing the gender of the foetus will be awarded Rs 50,000 as a reward,” he said.

“Covid tests should be conducted compulsorily for patients who visit hospitals to get treated for cold, cough and ILI. The private hospitals who failed to conduct tests will have their registration revoked,” the DC said.

“People these days are no longer serious over contracting coronavirus infection. This opens the possibility of a second wave. To prevent this from happening, it is important that private hospitals keep details of the patients who are being treated for coronavirus-like symptoms," he added.

"People who are keen on starting their medical profession in the district should register with district-level registration authority before commencing their service. Legal action will be taken against those who fail to get registered. License for opening clinics or nursing homes should be issued according to the rules once the application is submitted to the authority," DC Jagadeesha said.

"Biomedical waste in district hospitals should be collected and disposed of in a scientific manner within 48 hours. It is better to arrange bar codes for their collection. Priority should be given to provide basic facilities to the patients in government hospitals. Complaints received over negligence during medical treatments should be resolved without delay,” he said.

“Prescribing allopathic medicines to patients and claiming that it would treat hereditary diseases is an offence. Suitable legal action should be taken against the concerned if such practices are reported,” he said speaking to the taluk health officer.

District health and family welfare officer Dr Sudhir Chandra Sooda, district family welfare officer Dr Rama Rao, district malaria controller Prashanth Bhat, district surgeon Madhusoodan Nayak, government employees association president Subrahmanya Sherigar and other medical officers were present.