Chief medical office Kohima along with district health society, department of health & family welfare, NRHM observed orientation & senitization program in collaboration with district review meeting at CMO, conference hall on September 10.
The program was chaired by CMO, Dr. Avino Metha, while Dr. Avile Zao DPO(RCH-UIP) gave a power-point presentation on PNDT Act 1994 & Rules 1996 (Prohibition of Sex Selection).
Talking on the subject, Dr. Avile Zao, said, Parliament of India enacted the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act on 20th Sept 1994 (referred to as the PNDT Act). The Act came into force in 1996.
The Act has amended and the amended Act came into effect in January 2003 as the “Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act”.
Accordingly, certain amendments have been made in the Rules of 1996 and the amended Rules came into effect from 14th Feb,’2003, she said, and also deliberated on various different section of laws & rules.
The main streamline for PNDT Act are Section-3: Regulation of Genetic Counseling Centres, Genetic Laboratories & Genetic Clinics, Section-3(A): Prohibition of Sex Selection, Section-3(B): Prohibition on Sale of Ultrasound machines etc to persons, lab etc which are not registered under the Act, Section-4: Regulation of Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques, Section-16(A): Constitution of State/Union Territory Supervisory Board, Section-17: Appropriate Authority & Advisory Committee, Functions & Powers of Appropriate Authorities, Section-18,19,20: Registration of Genetic Counseling Centres, Laboratories or Genetic Clinics, Cancellation or Suspension of registration, Section-21: Appeal of the Act, Section-22,23,24 & 25 give rules on Offences & Penalties. She also stress and urged the Medical Officers to be aware of PNDT Act.
The second session was chaired by deputy CMO, Dr. Atsung, with brief report of last achievements in conducting of VHND.
She also stressed on medical officers’ to inform CMO beforehand regarding their presentation so that replacement could be made in time.
The need of visiting SCs under their jurisdiction was also highlighted where it felt that the MOs should fix a day to visit the SCs.
The congregation came to a conclusion that all regular nurses must go through competency test batch-wise for better performance and update of datas.
Dr. Avino Metha, urged the congregation to take up district level household survey to track all children & pregnant women so that there is no drop-outs, and to maintain stock ledgers in all CHCs, PHCs & SCs for medicines, vaccines, linens etc.
DTO, Dr. Vezokholu also deliberated on RNTCP report. Altogether 40 people attended the program.
The next review meeting is slated to be held on October 7.