Health Deptt Shopian conducts Awareness programme on Effective Implementation of PCPNDT Act

SHOPIAN, MARCH 06: The Department of Health in collaboration with District Hub for Empowerment of Women, Mission Shakti Shopian today organized a one day awareness programme on effective implementation of PCPNDT Act at SBGM Nursing College of Science and Technology Shopian.

Speaking on the occasion, CMO, Dr.Arshid Hussain emphasized the importance of effective implementation of PCPNDT Act. He said that the child sex ratio is an important indicator of social health of any society and any kind of decline in the sex ratio can be detrimental for demography of the region, which can ultimately imbalance the whole system of mankind.

Dr. Arshid said that the government is quite serious and firm enough for taking any measures required for balancing the sex ratio. He said that to usher a healthy child sex ratio and curtail the menace of sex selection, implementation mechanism of Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, needs to be strengthened at all levels.

He further stressed upon the officers to ensure no violation of the Act takes place in the first place and any violation in this regard shall be dealt strictly.

The CMO emphasized for evolving a robust mechanism to curb all illegal practices. He also stressed that regular meetings of Regulatory Bodies/Committees should be conducted at all levels. He asked for ensuring regular inspections/surprise visits by the Appropriate Authorities at each level.

He said that the religious leaders, schools, colleges and Panchayati Raj Institutions should be involved in spreading awareness about female foeticide and its consequences.

It was informed that a defined regulatory mechanism has been established under the PCPNDT Act and regulatory bodies/committees have been constituted at all levels. These committees including UT Supervisory Board, UT Level Task Force, Divisional Advisory Committees, District Appropriate Authorities have been entrusted with the task of strengthening the mechanism of implementation of PCPNDT Act.

Speakers also gave details of PCPNDT Act, rule, maintenance of record, powers of search seizure, Supreme Court Directives and other important concerns on the occasion.

The health functionaries of DH Shopian, students of SBGM Nursing College of Science and Technology Shopian and other concerned attended the programme.