‘All doctors not criminals,govt needs to take them into confidence’

In Pune,radiologists and gynaecologists say they should not be harassed for technical lapses and that doctors should be the face of the campaign against female foeticide. Member of Central Supervisory Board (CSB) for implementing the PC-PNDT Act and city-based gynaecologist Dr Sanjay Gupte said,“All doctors are not criminals. The government needs to take doctors into confidence and give proper protection to those who help them.”

General secretary of Indian Radiological Imaging Association (IRIA) Dr Jignesh Thakker said it was unfair to put the entire blame of falling sex ratio on radiologists. In that case,it is better not to take up obstetric ultrasound,Thakker said. Dr Amit Kharat,secretary,IRIA,Pune,said,“Ethically we are bound to treat a pregnant woman who is bleeding or who is in extreme pain and an ultrasound is essential to check the position of the foetus.”

At a meeting of the Indian Medical Association’s women’s wing Garima today,members said each and every ante-natal mother should be tracked. Dr Vaijayanti Patwardhan,in-charge of the Indian Medical Association’s PC-PNDT cell,said,“Though the acts are shameful,we want to suggest to the government to be prepared with a thorough vigilance policy,”

Dr Kishore Tawri,president of Maharashtra Medical Council,said while there were good doctors across the country,each association should be able to check any malpractice before the health authorities can intervene. A meeting has been planned with state health authorities on June 8 on the issue.

Dr A Khade,assistant director of health,family welfare bureau,and in-charge of PC-PNDT Act implementation,said 317 cases have been slapped against doctors in the state for flouting various provisions of PC-PNDT Act. Of these,90 have been decided and 41 doctors have been convicted. Pune has registered 40 cases against doctors and 29 are pending. “We have issued instructions to district level authorities to chalk out their plan of action,” he said.

Pune Municipal Corporation health chief Dr S T Pardeshi said they would prepare a plan of action soon and daily inspection was already under way. We have not received complaints from doctors regarding harassment so far. Meanwhile,Form F which is considered an important tool of the Act can soon be filled online,he said.

‘Transfer cases to other courts’

Varsha Deshpande,chief of Lekh Laadki Abhiyan and National Inspection Monitoring Committee member to implement the PC-PNDT Act,has planned to meet Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan to urge him to transfer 17-18 pending cases against doctors in Beed to other courts in the state. Out of 317 cases,58 pertain to non-registration of ultrasound machines,31 are decoy and 219 are regarding non-maintenance of records. In Pune,45 of 381 registered ultrasound centres have been sealed.