IMA to support Maha govt in campaign against female foeticide

Mumbai: Maharashtra Government today got a boost in its campaign against female foeticide with the Indian Medical Association (IMA) expressing solidarity to assist the efforts to weed out the black sheep in the medical fraternity. Representatives of IMA, Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) and Radiologists Association met Health Minister Suresh Shetty to discuss the steps to be taken to curb the menace, which has come to light prominently in Beed district. [caption id=“attachment_337298” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“AFP”]  [/caption] The medical representatives expressed support to the initiatives being taken by the government and said that they would expedite disciplinary action against medical professionals found guilty of illegal sex determination. Addressing a press conference, Shetty said the need to change the strategy against violations of the PCPNDT and Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) act was discussed at the meeting. “It was decided to have a dedicated official stationed at Pune who will co-ordinate with legal and health departments regarding violations of PCPNDT and MTP acts. Similarly, joint action by police and health departments will be taken against unauthorised MTP centres,” he added. Accordingly, in the last two days, 115 sonography centres have been raided and 22 sealed, while 403 unauthorised MTP centres have been raided and six have been closed down. It was also decided that IMA will publish the names of doctors convicted for violations of PCPNDT and MTP acts in newspapers. Similarly, MMC will expedite action of cancelling the registration and licenses of convicted doctors. PTI