Ultrasound machines at three Sonepat hospitals sealed for violating PCPNDT Act

Ultrasound machines at three Sonepat hospitals sealed for violating PCPNDT Act

In Sonepat, a recent enforcement action saw ultrasound equipment at three local hospitals sealed after a committee reviewing the PCPNDT Act found violations.

The Pre‑Conception and Pre‑Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act bans the use of ultrasounds for determining fetal sex except for medical reasons, aiming to address the skewed child sex ratio that has persisted in parts of Haryana.

The committee stressed that strict enforcement of the law is essential to curb illegal fetal sex determination and improve the district’s child sex ratio.

The sealed machines belong to three hospitals in Sonepat, and the sealing was carried out following the committee’s findings of non‑compliance with the Act’s provisions.

This enforcement action reflects ongoing concerns about misuse of ultrasound technology for sex determination, a practice the PCPNDT Act seeks to prohibit.

By acting against the hospitals, authorities demonstrate a commitment to upholding the PCPNDT Act, which carries penalties for unauthorized use of sex‑determination equipment.

The PCPNDT Act, introduced in 1994 and amended in 2003, has been a focal point for efforts to regulate prenatal diagnostics across the state.

Sonepat, a growing town in the district, now faces heightened scrutiny as part of the broader drive to enforce the law and improve gender balance in newborn ratios.

The committee’s call for stricter enforcement suggests that further inspections and actions may follow, though specific next steps have not been detailed.

The sealing of the three ultrasound machines marks a concrete step in the region’s attempt to enforce the PCPNDT Act and improve the child sex ratio.

Source: Hindustan Times