Doctors and members of the medical fraternity here today took to the streets to protest alleged harassment and "injustice" faced by sonologists and radiologists under the PC and PNDT Act (Pre-Conception & Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection Act, 1994).
The protest in support of the nationwide strike from Sept 1 called by the IRIA (Indian Radiological and Imaging Association) was spearheaded by Medical Ultrasound society of Karnataka (MUSK), a society with Ultrasonologist's, Radiologist's and Obstetricians practising ultrasound.
MUSK Secretary Chitra Ganesh said "We are not against PC & PNDT act, but only against the diverse ways in which it is implemented in different parts of the country.
"Our objective is to draw the attention of the government and public on how sonologist's are harassed in the name of PC&PNDT law, the essence of which is to protect the girl child," she said adding there were states where the provisions under the Act had been misused.
Harish Rao, Secretary of Indian Society of Clinical Sonologists, said a minor clerical error could result in machines being sealed, registration cancelled and cases filed in court against the radiologist and imprisonment.
"Radiologists are required to fill up Form F for every patient. This is a 8-page long document and even if there is a small error while filling, the radiologists can be prosecuted and held behind bars for three years under the act, MUSK President Priti Venkatesh said.
"MUSK has always been in the forefront in the protection of girl child and against selective sex determination. We are ready to join hands with the state government in the smooth implementation of the ACT, provided they don't harass us on minor issues like signatures in forms, wearing of apron and name badge which are in no way linked in bringing a change in sex ratio," he said.
MUSK joined hands with IRIA, ISOCS (Indian Society of Clinical Sonologists ), BSOG (Bangalore Society of Obstetrics & Gynaecology) to take out the march from freedom park to the police commissioner's office.
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