HT Correspondent
NAGAON, Aug 29: The District Advisory Committee convened a meeting to discuss the effective implementation of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994 (PC&PNDT). Chaired by Dr Arupjyoti Mahanta, joint director of Health Services of Nagaon, the meeting took place at the office chambers of the additional chief medical & health officer (FW), Nagaon.
Dr Arupjyoti Mahanta provided an overview of the meeting’s purpose, emphasising that one of the key aims of the Act is to prevent sex selection and female feticide among expecting families, among other objectives.
The newly appointed additional CM&HO (FW), Nagaon, Dr Kabita Barua, welcomed the attendees and initiated discussions by inviting queries from the committee members. Uday Ch Deka, DEMO, presented a brief update on the current implementation status of the Act in Nagaon and Hojai districts.
Deka informed that these districts had 62 operational ultrasound centres, 26 radiologists, 7 oncologists, 16 gynaecologists, and 4 cardiologists. He also shared that the process to establish new Ultrasound Centres had been made accessible through online applications. Furthermore, a special expert team from the District Health department regularly monitored and inspected diagnostic centres to ensure compliance with the PC&PNDT Act of 1994, Deka added.
In attendance were Ankita Gogoi, district information and public relations officer of Nagaon, representatives from the District Social Welfare department, NGOs, and other concerned officials from the District Health department.