Media sensitisation workshop on PC&PNDT held
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 17 2022: A state-level media sensitisation workshop on Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Technique (PC & PNDT) was organised by Directorate of Family Welfare Services at the conference hall of its BT Road office, here, on Monday.

Speaking on the occasion, PC&PNDT SNO Dr Sujata Huidrom informed that most cases of female foeticide and infanticide are reported from places with strong patriarchal influence and dowry-prone areas.

The Parliament passed the PC&PNDT Act in 1994 to protect unborn female babies and the Act came into effect in 1996.The Act was further amended in 2003, prohibiting the determination and disclosure of the sex of the foetus.

In Manipur, the PC&PNDT programme has been taken up under the PC&PNDT Cell, prohibiting sex determination of the foetus.

PC&PNDT, in reality, is a technique to determine whether the unborn foetus has any chromosomal or genetic defects and see to the abortion of the foetus, if necessary.

However, witnessing the technique being misused to determine the sex of the foetus, the PC&PNDT Act was enacted, she added.

She continued that anyone found violating the provisions of the Act for the first time would be liable to a jail term of 3 years and a fine of Rs 50,000.Further violations would invite a jail term of 5 years and a fine of Rs 1 lakh.

The Department has been spreading awareness in this regard at the district level for the understanding of the people.

Citing the data of Health Management Information System (HMIS), Dr Sujata stated that in 2021-22, the sex ratio (0-6 years) in Manipur is 1000 males per 965 females.

As the sex ratio is getting low, the workshop was organised with the aim of spreading additional information to the masses, she conveyed.

Under the PC&PNDT programme, all ultrasound clinics are to be registered.

So far, 199 have been registered in the state, while the registration for 2 clinics was revoked this year.

In addition, regular inspections of the clinic are being carried out.

Apart from holding meetings of relevant committees, sensitisation and programmes for NGOs, women organisations, gynecologists, police personnel, PP and advocates and IEC/ BCC activities and awareness programmes for the general public are being organised, the SNO further conveyed.

Urging the people and parents/guardians to understand that there is no difference between boys and girls, Dr Sujata cautioned that legal proceedings would be initiated against clinics for any illegal sex determination tests.

She then urged all concerned to contact Women Helpline no.181 if they come across any female foeticide or infanticide case, while assuring that anonymity of the informers would be maintained.

The programme was also attended by PC&PNDT, State Appropriate Authority chairman Dr Dihe Mao and Family Welfare Services additional director Dr Sanahanbi as members on the dais.

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