Pregnancy registration mandatory for ultrasound test

Perturbed by a six-point decline in the average sex ratio at birth (SRB) last year, the state health authorities have directed Civil Surgeons across the state to ensure that the pregnancy registration number is made mandatory for ultrasound test, in both government and private healthcare centres.

They have also been instructed to issue notices to those ultrasound centres found conducting tests on pregnant women without antenatal registration. Acting promptly, the Civil Surgeons have issued instructions to all centres to comply with the directives, said sources.

In 2024, the state recorded the birth of 910 females against 1,000 males, a slight decline from 916 in 2023. Eleven districts reported SRB lower than the state average last year, with Charkhi Dadri, Rewari, Rohtak, Faridabad, and Gurugram having SRB of less than 900.

“Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) and other health workers, including ASHA, are responsible for ensuring the registration of every pregnant woman through an online government app, which creates her Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) ID. Following which, an RCH card containing relevant details is issued. The registration enables the authorities to track woman throughout her pregnancy until delivery, helping to prevent female foeticide,” said Dr Ramesh Chander, Civil Surgeon, Rohtak.

He said ultrasound centres in the district had been instructed to inform his office if pregnant women without an RCH ID came for a test, so that health officials could register them on the app. Strict action would be taken against any centre found conducting tests without an RCH ID. Currently, 55 ultrasound centres were operating in Rohtak district, he said.

Describing it as an effective initiative, Dr Bhanwar Singh, Deputy CMO (PNDT), Rewari, said the registration of pregnant women was crucial in preventing potential cases of foeticide.

“As only health officials have access to create the 12-digit RCH-ID on the app, we are exploring ways to minimise the registration time if a woman without an RCH-ID arrives at a centre for an ultrasound test, especially those coming from distant areas,” he said, adding that Rewari district had 59 ultrasound centres.