Jajpur: There is a drop in the number of females in Jajpur district in the 0-6 age group from 937 to 926 for 1000 males, a report said Monday quoting the 2011 Census report.
Observers claimed that the private diagnostic centres operating in the district are to be blamed for the skewed male-female birth ratio as they carry out their illegal business with impunity due to the apathetic attitude of the law enforcement agencies.
The 2001 Census report had put the birth ratio at 937 females for every 1000 males. However, the number of females dropped to 926 for every 1000 males ten years later, according to 2011 Census.
Observers claimed that the private diagnostic centres cash in on the situation as the District Headquarters Hospital and Jajpur Road CHC have failed to make their ultrasound clinics operational.
The ultrasound clinics at the government hospitals remaining closed have frustrated the pregnant women visiting them. Left with no option, they visit the private diagnostic centres which charge them anything between Rs 400 and 500 for a test.
Furthermore, they lure the kin of the pregnant women to go for an abortion if the foetus is found to be a female. As a result, they end up getting fleeced by the private diagnostic centres.
This has defeated the purpose of the state government and Centre that provide the ultrasound machines to the government hospitals to give advanced treatment to the pregnant women and check the maternal mortality rate.
According to available reports, the District Headquarters Hospital has given five-year permission to the government hospitals in Jajpur Town, Jajpur Road, Kaliapani, Sukinda and Jaraka to conduct the ultrasound tests of various diseases and to determine the status of foetus in pregnant women.
The DHH, while giving permission, has instructed the government hospitals to appoint a radiologist or sonographer to conduct the ultrasound tests.
However, a majority of the diagnostic centres do not have a radiologist or a sonographer and conduct the tests with the help of unskilled and inexperienced persons. As a result, many a time patients complain of getting wrong test reports.
The district administration has formed a District Advisory Committee (DAC) to deal with these problems. However, the DAC has failed to act against the errant private diagnostic centres and clinics.
When contacted, Dr Barish Kumar Dash said very soon the private diagnostic centres engaged in sex determination tests will be raided. Furthermore, action would be taken if the charges against them were proved.
PNN
