Srinagar, Feb 23: The unregulated growth of USG clinics in Kashmir, alongside the involvement of untrained or unregistered radiologists/sonologists, has raised significant concerns for public health and compliance with the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act.
Despite the existence of this legislation, which aims to regulate and monitor the use of prenatal diagnostic techniques to prevent sex-selective abortions, the implementation has been deficient.
According to the PCPNDT Act, only registered medical practitioners (RMPs) who have completed six months of ultrasonography training and passed a competency-based exam, or those with degrees/diplomas in Radiology or Medical Radio-diagnosis, are authorized to conduct USG examinations.
However, rampant violations are observed, with unregistered radiologists/sonologists operating in clinics without proper adherence to the Act at many places like Anantnag, Baramulla, Srinagar, Pulwama, Kulgam etc.
A senior doctor from GMC Anantnag said many clinics are registered under one practitioner, yet others operate unlawfully, undermining the Act’s intent.
“Additionally, the inactivity of district and divisional authorities exacerbates the situation, as thorough verification of USG clinic documents is necessary to ensure compliance with the Act’s regulations,” he said.
Furthermore, concerns arise regarding radiologists engaging in private practice while holding registrarship, senior residency, or pursuing post-graduation, potentially contributing to the proliferation of unregulated USG clinics.
Ishfaq Ahmad, a medical practitioner from Srinagar said urgent action, including robust enforcement of the PCPNDT Act and strict oversight of USG clinics, is imperative to address this critical issue and safeguard public health.
“This involves enhancing monitoring mechanisms, ensuring proper licensing and training of practitioners, and establishing effective penalties for non-compliance to deter unlawful practices,” he said.
A doctor from Pulwama said that the Act, enacted to stop female foeticides, has been taken lightly and that its norms are being floated grossly.
“It is being observed that they are practising at many USG clinics even without being registered under PCPNDT Act which is highly uncalled for,” he said.
They said that illegal mushrooming of USG clinics and practising by untrained or unregistered radiologists has led to many issues as many of the clinics have nexus with clinicians for the same.
Another doctor from Baramulla said the document verification of all registered and unregistered USG Clinics need to be checked and only those radiologists be allowed to practice at clinics where they are themselves registered under the Act.
Earlier, the govt. had said that the appropriate authorities at the Divisional and District levels under the Act would conduct the regular audit, which also seems missing.
Officials of the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir said they keep close vigil over the violations across the valley and would take strict action against offenders.
“In district, the district magistrates and Chief Medical Officers can take action. We will see what needs to be done to stop this. Wherever we have evidence we will take action in specific matters,” the official said.
Every district has a district appellate authority that includes CMOs that are authorized to seal illegal clinics. Officials said more needs to be done at local ground level to ensure stringent action.
In June last year, the then Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Bhupinder Kumar had called for strict implementation of the PC&PNDT Act. He had then ushered a healthy child-sex ratio and curtailment of the menace of sex selection.
In 2011, the Union Health Ministry had stressed upon the States to strictly implement the provisions of the PC & PNDT Act especially those where the child sex ratio has been reported to be low.
