KUPWARA, April 10: Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Kupwara on Thursday chaired a meeting to review the implementation of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994 (PCPNDT Act).
An official spokesperson said the meeting focused on reviewing the district’s progress in enforcing the provisions of the PCPNDT Act, which aims to prevent sex-selective practices and regulate the use of prenatal diagnostic techniques for legitimate medical purposes only.
The CMO emphasized the critical role of the Act in curbing female feticide and addressing the declining sex ratio.
It was informed during the meeting that 42 ultrasound (USG) centres have been registered in Kupwara district since April 2023, and 18 centres were sealed due to non-compliance and deficiencies under the Act. These centres were allowed to reopen only after fulfilling the mandatory criteria laid out in the Act.
Highlighting the steps taken to build awareness, the CMO stated that Medical Officers, Community Health Officers (CHOs), and Mid-Level Health Providers (MLHPs) have been trained to sensitize communities about the provisions of the PCPNDT Act during Village Health and Nutrition Days (VHNDs), Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committee (VHSNC) meetings, and routine immunization drives.
A PowerPoint presentation detailing the key provisions of the PCPNDT Act and the responsibilities of various stakeholders was delivered by the CMO. He urged all member officers to work in coordination to ensure robust and effective enforcement of the Act across the district.
The meeting was attended by the Medical Superintendent of District Hospital Kupwara, District Health Officer (DHO), District Immunization Officer (DIO), senior gynecologists from Associated District Hospitals Handwara and Kupwara, senior pediatrician, senior radiologist, a representative from the Social Welfare Department, and a member from the judiciary.
The CMO reiterated the importance of sustained vigilance and inter-departmental cooperation in eliminating the misuse of prenatal diagnostic technologies and safeguarding the rights of the unborn girl child.
