Gadwal: A meeting of the District Advisory Committee was held at the District Medical and Health Department office, led by District Medical Officer Dr. S.K. Siddappa. The session focused on women’s health issues and legal matters, particularly related to gender determination and prenatal care.
Dr. Siddappa emphasized that determining the gender of a fetus is illegal under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994, and its rules of 1996. He warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone found violating this law, as gender determination is considered a criminal offense.
To ensure compliance, Dr. Siddappa explained that all scanning centers in the Jogulamba Gadwal district are under strict surveillance. He urged officials to raise awareness among the public, stressing that the gender of a child should not matter. He encouraged a mindset of nurturing and educating girls, promoting equality without discrimination based on gender.
The District Medical Officer also clarified that abortions should only be performed in cases involving fetal growth deficiencies or genetic abnormalities, following medical guidelines. He directed Advisory Committee members to work in communities, spreading awareness about the dangers of child marriages, early marriages, and the legal consequences of gender determination.
Several key officials attended the meeting, including District Maternal and Child Care Program Officer Dr. Prasuna Rani, Gynecologist Dr. C.H. Priyanka, Pediatrician Dr. Shyam, Deputy DEMO K. Madhusudhan Reddy, and CEA-Section Officer G. Narsayya. Representatives from other departments and organizations, such as M. Jyotsna, Chittemma (DWO Office), M. Shobharani, Md. Juber (Sakhi-OSC), Shiva Leela, Sarojini (1098), and NGOs like T. Jayabharathi, B. Johanna Rass, V. Dhanalakshmi, and K. Padma (DCPU), were also present.
The meeting concluded with a call to action, encouraging continued efforts to educate the public and enforce laws that protect women’s health and rights.
