Punjab’s sex ratio has improved considerably from 888 in 2016-17 to 919 in 2020-21. Giving the credit to the state Health and Family Welfare Department, the Minister in-charge Balbir Singh Sidhu on Tuesday said that the increase was due to stringent implementation of the Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act 1994 Act.

The information was shared during the meeting of State Supervisory Board, consisting of 22 members, under the chairmanship of Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu.

The state Director Health Services (Family Welfare) Dr Andesh Kang welcomed the members and apprised them regarding the salient features, achievements, and barriers in the implementation of the Act.

She said that a total of 1,738 ultrasound centres are registered in the State and the Health Department regulates their working as per the Provisions of the Act to end female foeticide.

The Minister said that the Punjab Government is taking a number of steps to end female foeticide. “The Health Department also carries out regular IEC activities from time to time to change people’s mindset so that they do not have any prejudice against the girl child,” he said.

“Health Department is taking strict action like carrying out decoy operation (sting operation) for catching the violators under the PC-PNDT act and State Health Officials keep a vigilant eye on Scan Centres by checking them regularly via District Appropriate Authority (DAA),” said the minister.

At the same time, the Minister warned that registration of any scan centre can be cancelled if it is found violating the provisions of the Act.

Stating about the importance of the first Ante Natal Checkup (ANC), the Minister stressed on the need to carry out first ANC as soon as possible or within the first trimester so that any misdemeanour can be tracked by the ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) worker and consequently by the senior health officials.

The state Principal Secretary Health and Family Welfare Husan Lal took a serious note of low performing districts in terms of inspections by the District Appropriate Authorities. He emphasized the use of technology in regulation of ultrasound machines in the State, training, and capacity building of DAAs, hiring of a new detective agency and preparation of an SOP or Checklist for the smooth working of the inspecting authorities.