Ganjam authorities plan to install CCTV outside ultrasound

Voicing concern over the declining sex ratio in Odisha's Ganjam district, the administration is planning to ask the owners of the ultrasound units to install CCTVs outside.
"Installation of CCTV will help track movement of people to the units and curb sex-determination tests there," said a senior doctor.
"The proposal is under active consideration of the administration and we are examining all aspects," said Chief District Medical Officer of Ganjam, Mrutyunjay Mishra.
Installation of CCTVs outside the ultrasound clinics was discussed at a meeting held at Chhatrapur on Saturday. in which Collector (Ganjam) P C Chaudhary was president.
In Ganjam, there are 36 ultrasound units, five of which are in government hospitals, official sources said.

The child sex ratio in Ganjam district is 908 girls per 1,000 boys, according to Census 2011. It is lower than the state average of 941, they said.

Female foeticide after sex-determination test in the ultrasound units might be the cause of the lower child sex ratio in the district.
"There is a need to curb such illegal practice to improve the sex ratio in the district," the doctor said.
The district administration had clamped a crackdown on ultrasound clinics and sealed five for allegedly violating Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC&PNDT) Act.
"Since some owners of ultrasound units are ignorant of the provisions of the PC&PNDT Act, we are planning to conduct a sensitisation programme," said the CDMO.

The ultrasound test is not only used for the sex determination but also for several other purposes.
"So we are planning to educate the owners for smooth operation of the clinics," he added.