25 health centre heads get notices for poor sex ratio

Taking a serious note of the dismal sex ratio at birth (SRB) in many villages here, the district health authorities have issued show-cause notices to the incharges of 25 Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and directed them to file a reply within three days listing the reasons for poor SRB.

They have also been asked to hold a joint meeting with the sarpanch/councillor of the village concerned and representatives of the Women and Child Development (WCD) Department to review the registration of expectant women in the first trimester and other activities being held to prevent female foeticide.

The meeting is aimed to find out the reasons behind the dismal SRB and to chalk out a plan to improve it.

“After Gurugram, Rewari has recorded the second lowest SRB (868) in the past 10 months. Over 30 villages in the district have SRB below 800 while nine villages have it below 500,” said an official.

Dr Bhanwar Singh, Nodal Officer (PNDT), said ascertaining the reasons and shortcomings behind the poor gender ratio was necessary so that steps could be taken to improve it. “We will hold a meeting of all incharges of CHCs/PHCs as soon as we get their replies so we can discuss how to improve the ratio,” he said.

Asked about the likely reasons in Rewari district, he said a patriarchal mindset, sense of insecurity over daughters and the trend of parents with single-male child were believed to be the reasons for the imbalance.