Gender determination tests rampant in Jagtial

According to officials, some of the hospitals were also doing abortions if the foetus was found to be female

Jagtial: Gender determination tests are apparently becoming rampant in the district with a few hospitals and scanning centres continuing ultrasound scanning to determine the sex of the foetus. According to officials, some of the hospitals were also doing abortions if the foetus was found to be female.

Recently, Medical and Health department officials from Hyderabad conducted surprise checks in a hospital in Ashoknagar area of Jagtial town and seized five scanning machines being operated without permission. Officials issued show cause notices to the hospital for not maintaining the details of patients or case sheets and also for poor maintenance.

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According to health department sources, there are approximately 30 scanning centres in Jagtial, Korutla, Metpally, Raikal and Dharmapuri. Some of the centres were encouraging the illegal gender determination tests, it is learnt. Though ultrasound scanning is meant to know the growth of the baby and other issues, if any, some of these hospitals and scanning centres were doing the tests to know the gender of the baby.

Couples, who had a female baby in the first delivery, are reportedly approaching doctors for gender determination tests. Taking advantage of this, doctors are allegedly collecting Rs.20,000 to Rs.30,000 each from the couples with the help of Registered Medical Practitioners (RMP) and Private Medical Practitioners (PMP).

Based on complaints, officials recently conducted inspections in hospitals and scanning centres. Speaking to Telangana Today, District Medical and Health Officer Dr Samiuddin said that based on the instructions from higher officials, they served notices to the hospital and further steps would be taken after getting a reply. Stating that gender determination tests were illegal, he warned of legal action besides imposing fines if any hospital or scanning centre encouraged ultrasound scanning for gender determination and abortions.

There was a strict vigil on the activities of hospitals and scanning centres after complaints of gender determination tests and illegal abortions, the DMHO said.