The Hindu : Front Page : Sex ratio plummets in Salem district

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Sunday, Mar 04, 2007
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Sex ratio plummets in Salem district

R. Ilangovan

A notice board in the Salem Government Hospital warning against foetus identification.

SALEM: The sharp fall in the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) in Salem district points to the continuing prevalence of sex-selective abortions, a study has shown. This exposes the shortcomings in the enforcement of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection), Act 2002 and the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971.

Available statistics reveal that against the natural SRB of 952 girls for every 1,000 boys, the district has recorded a figure of 912 in 2005. Its rural ratio is a dismal 891.

An analysis of the medical records of 70 public health centres (PHC) in the district, carried out by the Madurai-based Campaign Against Sex Selective Abortions (CASSA), has shown that the SRB in rural pockets has declined to 891 in 2005 from 922 in 2002.

Of the total 70 PHCs, 13 have recorded the natural ratio of above 952. It is below 900 in 38 PHCs and less than 800 in nine PHCs. The PHC in Pachamalai has recorded the lowest figure of 637.

Those that have registered a healthy plus-1,000 figure are Sathapadi (1,067), Kothampadi (1,000), Thevur (1,020), Chinnagoundanur (1,047), Santhaithanapatti (1,019), Karuppur (1,053), E. Kattur (1,030), Vellalapuram (1036) and Sarakkapillaiyur (1,085).

CASSA convener P. Pavalam says the thrust of enforcement should be on the preventive aspect of sex selective abortions. "In fact, our team, in association with VRDP at Salem, recently visited ultrasound clinics, imaging centres, scan centres and genetic clinics in the district to see whether these centres comply with the provisions of the acts." Ms. Pavalam says the authorities have claimed that 100 out of 158 clinics are submitting monthly reports on all pregnancy related procedures, techniques and tests.

"But our study has confirmed that still many more are not even maintaining proper records," she says.

A hospital registered under the PCPNDT Act operates in two different buildings with one licence. Two hospitals disclose the sex of the foetus by means of sign and code words.

A few fertility clinics submit no reports. The study, she says, has confirmed that medical technologies are being misused in the district to determine the sex of the foetus, which needs to be checked.

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