More the sonograms, lower the sex ratio: Report
Lek Ladki Abhiyaan, the group of NGOs that carried out sting operations on clinics conducting sex determination tests across the state, has acquired data that correlates sex ratio in a district to the number of sonography machines in that district. In most cases, it was found that sex ratio was low for areas that had more sonogram machines. As per 2007 figures available with the Maharashtra State Health Resource Center, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region has close to 1200 sonograms and a poor sex ratio of 874.
The group also pointed at the ineffectiveness of the government machinery to prosecute doctors and clinics under the Pre Conception and Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex selection) Act of 1994.
Advocate Varsha Deshpande, activist and former member of the National Inspection and Monitoring Committee, said that while the number of machines in the state has increased to 7,800, only 150 cases have been registered under the PCPNDT Act. On an average, around 55,000 female fetuses are aborted in the state every year. The conviction rate is low. Of the 150 cases, 39 cases have resulted in acquittal while the test are pending, said Deshpande. Across the state, sex determination was higher for areas that have population with higher income and spending power, she added. Beed, with 80 registered sonogram machines, has the lowest sex ratio of 801 in the state while Gadchiroli with only nine machines has the highest sex ratio of 956. Pune has around 710 machines and the highest number of cases (22) have been registered here. The sex ratio is 873. The state sex ratio of 851 is the fifth lowest in the country. Pre-conception of male children through test tube insemination is also becoming widespread, as per the findings of the group.
Deshpande said that while the BMC cracked down on two clinics using sonogram machines for sex determination in 2007, the prosecution has been poor thereafter. As per the Act, BMC officials have to carry out inspection at gynecology clinics every three months but this does not happen. There is lack of proper monitoring or inspection. There are at least 40 centers in Govandi and 25 centers in Colaba that have not been penalised. In fact, if a clinic has been shut by the National Inspection and Monitoring Committee, the BMC gives it permission to reopen without the High Courts order, she said.
BMCs executive health officer Gourish Ambe said that BMC conducts inspection and seals offices that are found misusing the sonogram machines for sex determination.