Deputy Commissioner Vijaya Jadhav held a meeting of the District Advisory Committee under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act at the Collectorate office on Wednesday. The meeting saw the participation of various officials including Deputy Development Commissioner Girja Shankar Prasad, Civil Surgeon Dr. A.B. Prasad, District Public Relations Officer Saket Kumar Pandey, and representatives from non-governmental organizations.
The Deputy Commissioner reviewed various applications related to the registration and renewal of ultrasound clinics in the district. The nodal officer for the PCPNDT Act informed that 69 Form B applications were under review, along with four registration applications, four renewal applications, and one for site change.
DC Jadhav directed the preparation of a list of clinics nearing their renewal date, with notices to be issued and surprise inspections to be conducted. She emphasized that doctors are allowed to practice at no more than two clinics, with a distance of 8-10 km between them. The Commissioner stressed the importance of adhering to the rules under the PCPNDT Act, warning that non-compliance would lead to strict action against the clinics involved.
Furthermore, the Deputy Commissioner instructed that the funds available under the PCPNDT scheme be utilized for awareness programs and securing sealed materials. She also ordered workshops to be conducted in all blocks of the district, starting with Chas and Chandankiyari blocks, involving health workers, assistants, and women’s groups.
Due to negligence in duties, including the failure to scrutinize Form F and organize regular meetings, the Principal Assistant at the Civil Surgeon’s office has had their salary suspended until further notice. The Civil Surgeon was also directed to expedite the signing of MOUs with private ultrasound clinics regarding the use of ultrasonography.
The meeting concluded with legal advisor Priyanka Singhal providing detailed guidance to the committee members on the provisions of the PCPNDT Act.
