Ultrasound centres fall short of PNDT forms

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 13

The Pre-Natal Diagnostic Technique (PNDT) forms are short in supply for the past three weeks in the district due to which ultrasound centres are having a tough time.

Filling of these forms is mandatory for all expectant mothers and they are filled by doctors doing ultrasounds. A copy of this form is submitted by the doctor to the department by 5th of every month, while one copy is kept by him. Every form bears a specific number and record of these forms is maintained for two years.

Dr GS Grewal from SAS Grewal Multispeciality Hospital said they had been facing shortage of forms for the past three weeks.

“It is mandatory to get the forms filled of every patient coming for ultrasound. In the absence of the forms we are unable to run our work smoothly,” he said.

Sonologists from an ultrasound and imaging centre facing similar problem said they were getting forms less in number. “If we have a demand for 400 forms, only 100 are given to us. We are facing problems due to the shortage of form,” he said.

A patient, Jaskiran Kaur, who went to an ultrasound centre in the Civil Lines, had to return without getting the ultrasound done because the owner of the centre was running short of forms.

“I came from Raikot to see my doctor and she advised me to get an ultrasound done, but the centre I visited refused as they were not having the prescribed forms. Now, I will be going to some other centre. Such things, which are mandatory, should not run out of stock and the department should make sure that its supply is continuous,” she said.

Dr Parwinder Pal Singh Sidhu, Civil Surgeon, when contacted said, “Red Cross has been given the responsibility to provide the PNDT forms. I came to know that less number of forms were being printed, but the problem will be solved soon,” said he.