Committee to examine MTP Act

Abortion is permitted legally under MTP Act till the 12th week of pregnancy. The Census 2011 provisional figures released earlier this year indicate a drastic drop in the girl child ratio in the state. The child sex ratio in 2001 was 913 females per 1,000 males,which has dropped to 883 girls per 1,000 males this year.

The state government has identified five districts,which have child sex ratio less than the national average of 914 girls per 1,000 boys and is taking action against sonography clinics.

In a PCPNDT committee meeting on Thursday,the state government appointed Dr Oak to examine whether changes should be made in the MTP Act and the measures to monitor sex selective abortions.

“While we have been taking steps to deal with the sonography centres,the doctors who conduct abortions or help in sex selective abortions have not been dealt with. The topic was discussed widely. Dr Oak has been asked to submit his report in a month,” said Minister for Public Health Suresh Shetty,who is also the head of the state’s PCPNDT committee.

A presentation was made before the committee by an association of radiologists to suggest measures for curbing sex selection during pregnancy.

Shetty said there are several concerns raised by women groups,NGOs,gynaecologists and doctors.

“Doctors have a major role to play in the entire process of identification of gender and abortion. Their role has to be examined and steps should be taken to tackle erring doctors,” said Shetty.