Officials told to inspect ultrasound centres across state

The Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Sudhir Rajpal, today directed Health Department officials to inspect medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) and ultrasound centres across the state and cancel the registration of centres not complying with guidelines.

Rajpal, who also holds the charge of the Women and Child Development (WCD) Department, chaired a meeting with officers from both departments here today. He stressed the need for enhanced cooperation between the Health and Family Welfare and Women and Child Development departments to improve the state’s sex ratio. He also called for collaborative efforts between anganwadi and ASHA workers to ensure timely pregnancy registration.

Rajpal instructed the State Drug Controller to monitor the sale of MTP pills and ensure that they were not sold without a prescription. He also directed Civil Surgeons to regularly analyse the data from MTP centres. If any mismatch or discrepancies were found in the reports, strict action should be taken against them.

At the meeting, it was informed that the unique ANR number, available on the RCH portal, was mandatory for accessing ante-natal services. The Health Department was exploring the possibility of self-registration for pregnant women on the portal. This would enable the authorities to track their progress throughout pregnancy and take measures to prevent foeticide.

Dr Manish Bansal, Director, General Health Services; Monika Malik, Director, Women and Child Development Department; and Dr Mukta, Civil Surgeon, Panchkula, among others were present.