Taking a stern note of the rising sale of Misoprostol, the abortion-inducing drug without recommendation of doctor, the director general (DG) of State Health Services Dr TC Pant has directed the officers of the health department to ensure that the direct sale of this drug from the chemist shops is strictly prohibited.
He gave the order while presiding over a meeting of the state level review committee on implementation of Pre- Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act at the health directorate on Tuesday.
Expressing concern over decreasing sex ratio of girl child in the State, Pant said that the off-the-shelf sale of Misoprostol is increasing. He said that it is, normally, observed that after getting confirmation about the pregnancy from Ultrasound, the women take the drug from the chemists which results in excessive bleeding and abortion of foetus.
Dr Pant, categorically, told the officials that the doctors should keep a record of Misoprostol recommended by them and the chemists should keep a complete record of the drug and its sale. He directed the drug controller to ensure that the notification regarding sale of Misoprostol should be strictly implemented.
The State nodal officer and additional director, Dr Saroj Naithani said that sex ratio in Pithoragarh district has shown considerable improvement and it has increased from 852 to 913 which is a good sign for the State.
She said that soon the department would give special training to the officers for surprise inspections at ultra sound labs so that the practice of sex determination of unborn child is stopped.
Dr Naithani clarified that the Ultra sound operators operating on the basis of experience only should have to pass CBET examination. She suggested that one popular gynaecologist in every district should be selected and appointed brand ambassador of the campaign for effective implementation of PCPNDT Act.
The meeting was attended by PCPNDT coordinators of all districts, drug controller and officers of National Health Mission (NHM).