Docs welcome HC order,but concerned about immobile patients

While several doctors have welcomed the Bombay High Court order that portable ultrasonography machines should not be used outside hospital premises,concern has also been raised about the inconvenience that would be caused to patients who are immobile due to some illness and will be deprived of the facility.

While several doctors have welcomed the Bombay High Court order that portable ultrasonography (USG) machines should not be used outside hospital premises,concern has also been raised about the inconvenience that would be caused to patients who are immobile due to some illness and will be deprived of the facility.

Concerned over the skewed child sex ratio in the state,the Bombay High Court (HC) on Thursday told the Indian Radiological and Imaging Association (IRIA) that portable USG machines should not be used outside hospital premises . A division bench of justice P B Majmudar and Justice Mridula Bhatkar dismissed the petition by the association challenging a circular issued by the BMC on July 28 banning portable ultrasound machines.

Association secretary Jignesh Thakker and a petitioner said they will move the Supreme Court now. According to senior consulting radiologist Dr A Kinare,the order is a great drawback specially as cardiologists and other specialty doctors will not be able to take the equipment to treat the seriously ill patients at their homes.

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However,according to advocate Varsha Deshpande,activist and a member of the national inspection committee to monitor the Pre-Conception and Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC-PNDT) Act,the order was significant as now there will be a disciplined use of the machine. Monitoring the use of the machine will also be easier as it will not be allowed to go outside the hospital campus, said Deshpande.

Senior gynaecologist Dr Sanjay Gupte said the order was important as it would help curb the misuse of the ultrasound machine. Radiologists Association city unit president Dr Meenakshi Gajbhiye said it would check the misuse of the machine. Officials at the State Appropriate authority to implement the PCPNDT Act said they would decide upon fresh guidelines after receiving a copy of the HC order.

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