With the aim of keeping the unlawful practice of sex determination in check and initiating strict action against offenders under Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Test (PC and PNDT) Act, the state government has decided to install tracking devices to ultrasound machines in the state.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Kaul Singh Thakur said, “The tracking devices will put all the ultrasound machines on surveillance in the state. The devices will be mandatorily installed in phased manner in all the ultrasound machines in both governments as well as private sector. This will not only help in curbing female foeticide but also improving Child Sex Ratio (CSR).

The particular device will be attached to the respective ultrasound machines, which would enable tracking of sonographies conducted to keep on the pre-natal tests.

"The device enables online monitoring of the ultrasound machine, which is linked to a control room. The location of the control room, is yet to be finalised”.

The electronic device which costs around Rs.30,000 to 35,000 will be attached to the ultrasound machine and help in tracking sonographies conducted to keep a check on pre-natal tests. The cost of the device in private ultrasound centres will be shared both by the owner and the state government, added the minister.

"To lend impetus to the initiative to be taken, health officials have already been provided training from Indore, Madhya Pradesh" added Kaul Singh Thakur.

The districts of Una and Kangra ( bordering Punjab and Hamirpur) have been selected for the pilot project with plans to add more districts on a gradual basis.

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