Sonography machine sealed in Petlad for alleged fetal sex determination

Vadodara: A sonography machine at a private hospital in Petlad was sealed by health officials from Anand district for allegedly conducting illegal sex determination tests in violation of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC&PNDT) Act, 1994.

Ishita Hospital, operated by gynaecologist Dr J K Vaghela, is now facing punitive action under the act, which prohibits fetal sex determination and makes it illegal for medical practitioners to disclose the sex of a fetus to expectant parents.

Anand's chief district health officer (CDHO), Dr Piyush Patel, confirmed the development, stating that special teams of medical officers have been formed to conduct surprise inspections across the district to check for violations.

During one such surprise inspection, conducted by Dr Rajesh Patel, taluka health officer Dr K D Pathak, Petlad taluka health officer Gunvant Isvarvadia, and programme officer Vijay Vaghela, the hospital was allegedly found flouting the PC&PNDT Act.

"The sonography machine was sealed with immediate effect and all hospital records were seized to facilitate further legal action," said Dr Patel.

He further warned that such surprise checks will continue across Anand district, and strict action will be taken against any hospital or doctor found in violation of the Act.