5 pre-natal scan centres issued notices in August

Of the 72 pre-natal scan centres inspected in August by the district family welfare officer and health team, five of them were issued notices for the shortcomings. This was revealed in a review meeting held recently.

District family welfare officer (DFWO) Dr Maninder Singh said, “Inspection of scan centres is done on routine basis by the department. Last month, five centres were found having shortcomings and thus notices were issued to them.”

He said the shortcomings were related with non-completion of documents and not having proper records etc.

The city has 256 scan centres. In the review meeting on pre-natal scan centres held at the civil surgeon office, the advisory committee approved the registration of four new pre-natal scan centres, said Dr Maninder.

Each scanning centre needs to adhere to the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act guidelines, failing which they can invite action, including suspension of their registration.

It is mandatory for all hospitals, nursing homes and dispensaries to display a board measuring 3x2 feet giving warning for sex discrimination in English and a local language.

It is also mandatory to get registration done for the ultrasound machine and also scan centre needs to apply for the re-registration 30 days prior to end of its registration date.

Each centre has to get all documents completed by the patient and have to submit the data before the fifth of every month.

In May, the registration of 24 scan centres was cancelled by the advisory committee for flouting various regulations.

Dr Maninder said, “The department is strict with regulations and registration is renewed only after checking the centre's credentials and thorough inspection of all documents.”

Civil surgeon Dr Subhash Batta directed the health officials to redouble efforts to curb female foeticide by keeping check on scan centres.