Date:21/12/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/12/21/stories/2004122104261200.htm

National

Centre plans surveillance cell against foeticide

By Our Staff Correspondent

NEW DELHI, DEC. 20. The Union Health Ministry is contemplating setting up a national surveillance cell to check foeticide. The cell would monitor and enforce laws related to pre-natal diagnostic tests. Speaking after releasing a report on "Violence Against Women: Health Sector Perspective'' brought out by the National Commission for Women (NCW) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) here today, the Union Health Minister, A. Ramadoss, said it was likely to be headed by a retired senior police officer and would focus on States like Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Gujarat with an adverse sex ratio. Besides, carrying out covert operations to detect illegal tests, the cell would be empowered to conduct raids.

The Government is also looking at ways to strengthen the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Tests Act, one of which could be the cancellation of registration of centres violating regulations. This was particularly true of States where the two-child norm was in force, as a result of which the incidence of foeticide and infanticide had gone up, Mr. Ramadoss said. Another way would be to monitor sex-determination clinics and register the suppliers of ultrasound machines.

Mr. Ramadoss said the biggest social challenge faced by the country today was discrimination and violence against women. "We have been taking up this issue in a big way with other ministries and at the level of the Prime Minister,'' he said, adding that a comprehensive action plan was needed on women's health issues.

The recommendations made in the report include recognition of the poor nutritional status of women and girls, and ensuring that the health care system plays a critical role in addressing gender-based discrimination and violence. It is imperative that the system provides affordable, quality and gender-sensitive services, especially to women and girls. Strict implementation of the service guidelines and protocols should be ensured, specifically for different national health programmes, including those for tubectomy, vasectomy, oral contraceptives and intra-uterine devices. "Male participation has to be enhanced while encouraging responsible sexual and reproductive health behaviour among men,'' the report said.