Medical professionals from various specialities on Thursday staged a protest in the city against the “draconian” provisions of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act.
Members of the Indian Radiology and Imaging Association, Bangalore Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical Ultrasound Society of Karnataka (MUSK) and Indian Society of Clinical Sonologists (ISOCS) took out a procession from Freedom Park to the Department of Health and Family Welfare and submitted a memorandum to senior officials.
Dr Chitra Ganesh, Secretary, MUSK, said: “We are not against PCPNDT Act, but only against the diverse ways in which it is implemented in different parts of the country. Our objective is to draw the attention of the government on how sonologists are harassed in the name of the said law. We have taken an oath to identify the black sheep among us and ensure that they are punished.”
Dr Manoj Raheja, President, ISOCS, said: “Radiologists are expected to fill up Form F for every patient. This is an eight-page document and even if there is a small error in filling the form, radiologists can be prosecuted and jailed for three years. Their machines are sealed till the case proceedings conclude in court of law,” he added.
Protesting radiologists and sonologists were backed by gynaecologists. Gynaecologist and Obstetrician Dr Kamini Rao, who took part in the protest said: “It is time officials stop treating us like clerks.”
Dr M Rajini, deputy director, Department of Health and Family Welfare said that they were with the protesting professionals and the PCPNDT Act needs ammendments. “Doctors are seeking graded penalty and their demands are fair. They are all against female foeticide,” she said.
DH News Service