Notice Sent To 89 Hospitals and Nursing Homes In Delhi Over Poor Sex Ratio

A show-cause notice has been issued by the Delhi government to 89 hospitals and nursing homes in Delhi for adverse sex ratio at birth for the year 2014-15. In a statement, the Health Department of Delhi Government said that it was noticed that these establishments had "skewed sex ratio" at birth in the range of 285 to 788 females per 1,000 males during the said period.

"The Directorate of Family Welfare has examined that the records of birth and death registration of 89 hospitals/ medical centers in Delhi have below the average birth sex ratio last year," the statement said.

The hospitals have been asked to furnish information which includes reason for adverse sex ratio at the hospitals, whether the centers or hospitals are registered with nursing home cell of the Directorate of Health Services, whether they are providing Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) facility, and whether they are registered under the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act.

The hospitals have been asked to submit their reply within 10 days.

In case, the centers and hospitals are not providing facilities under MTP & PNDT, they have been directed to provide the details of the centers where patients are being referred for MTP and ultrasonography.

"In public interest, serious action will be taken by the state government against all those found guilty. The GNCT of Delhi is committed to eradicate this long prevailing social menace of female feticide," the statement said.

"The chief minister of Delhi has directed the Health Department to remove all misgivings among expecting parents about the girl child and has directed awareness campaigns on the benefits of having girl child," it added.

Source-PTI