Srinagar, Aug 28: In a startling revelation, all the diagnostic centers in Government hospitals except SMHS have been found unregistered in the valley. The development comes in the wake of information provided under Right to Information Act by Health Department.
 The Government order no. DHSK/Reg-PNDt/687 sates that only SMHS hospital is among the 43 registered ultrasound clinics (USG) in the valley under PC and PNDT Act.
 It doesn’t mention about hundreds of community health centers, sub district hospitals or any general hospitals. Surprisingly SK institute of Medical Sciences Soura also doesn’t figure in the list of registered hospitals.   Sources said these public health centers are performing diagnostic examinations everyday.
 Pertinently, a few months back, Minister of Health Sham Lal Sharma had initiated a campaign against the unregistered USG clinics in an attempt to check female foeticide. He had stated that the department was prompted to undertake a special drive to implement the Pre-Conception & Prenatal Sex Selection/Determination (Prohibition & Regulation) Act in letter and spirit.
 The action had come following 2011 census report showing a skewed sex ratio in the 0-6 year’s age.  As per the Census, the sex-ratio in Jammu and Kashmir had dropped alarmingly to 869 females per 1,000 males.
 Sources, said that around 78 clinics were sealed by the Government since March 2011. “Nearly 54 clinics were sealed in Kashmir while 24 were shut in Jammu for violating PNDT act. In this entire action not a single Public Health Centre was brought under the purview of this move albeit running illegally,” said a senior official of the Health Department.
 The information provided by the Health Department has also dispelled the notion that sonologists were indulging in determination of sex. It said that no case has been registered against them in sex determination involvement. 
 Admitting that all the hospital USG clinics are unregistered except SMHS, Member PNDT Cell Director Health services Kashmir Dr Niyaz Ahmad stated registration process has been initiated.
 “Every District hospital has USG machine installed. Till now they are unregistered. Now we are registering them from this year and it will take sometime,” he said.
 Asked about the involvement of doctors indulging in sex determination, he informed that no evidence was found against them.
 “There is no case registered against them. This notion grew due to skewed sex ratio in Census report,” he said.
 Despite repeated attempts, Minister of Health and Family welfare Sham Lal Sharma could not be contacted. 

Lastupdate on : Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 28 Aug 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 29 Aug 2011 00:00:00 IST