By a Correspondent
New Delhi, May 6,
After the Supreme Court upholding the constitutionality of the PCPNDT Act, The Indian Medical Association (IMA) demands a comprehensive review, repeal and reconception of the act.
The main purpose of enacting the Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994 (PCPNDT) is to ban the misuse the selection of sex selection techniques and prevent female feticides. The actual aim of the act is to arrest the declining sex ratio in India. IMA believes that inspite of harsh implementation the law has miserably failed in restoring the sex ratio of the country.
“IMA demands a reconception and nothing short of this is acceptable to the medical profession. This is a black law and has miserably failed in achieving its objective in the 24 years of its dubious existence. The layman’s approach of the ill conceived legislation has only resulted in unending harassment of every single practicing Obstetrician and Radiologist in the country. The sex ratio of the country has in fact deteriorated and needs an urgent course of correction is warranted. Social determinants of the issue also have to be addressed.” Said Dr Santanu Sen, National President, IMA.
According to IMA, no movement for the Girl child can succeed without the partnership and whole hearted support of the medical profession. Enormous goodwill and activism exists inside the medical profession for the cause of the Girl Child.
“It is completely unacceptable to presume that every Obstetrician and Radiologist is culpable of sex selection and female feticide and singling out the ultrasound machines and the doctors as source of evil by the law. Culpability of the involved couple and the family should be brought under the majesty of the law as well. Action against quackery and illegal abortion industry are in order. Social movements for empowering the Girl Child should be funded by the Government. Attempting to address the social evil by quarantining the ultrasound machine and painting the doctors black was bound to be a failure.” Said Dr RV Asokan, Honorary Secretary General of IMA.
The law has suffered from serious conceptual flaws and a layman’s approach. After wasting thousands of crores of public money and harassing an entire generation of doctors, the law has nothing to show. Instead of tapping the goodwill of the medical profession, this law has alienated doctors since its inception.
“Time has come to review the effectiveness of the law in addressing the issue. To repeal the current law and reconceive one with equal responsibility and participation of everyone concerned will be the right way to go. The medical profession reserves the right to withdraw appropriate services and resist all the harassments and injustice inflicted on it.” Added Dr Sen
