Noida, February 18 The Health Department in Gautam Buddh Nagar has sealed five ultrasound centers over the past month for alleged violations of norms, including the determination of fetal sex, an official said on Wednesday.
Action was taken against the centers under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Chandan Soni said.
Soni said that in October, the department received information from a source regarding the alleged determination of fetal sex at the Bharat Scanning Centre located in Sector-37.
"Following a surprise inspection, the allegations were found to be true. The center was sealed, and an FIR was lodged at the Sector-39 police station," he said.
Subsequently, on the instructions of the District Magistrate, a special campaign was launched to inspect other ultrasound centers operating in the district.
During inspections carried out in January, violations were detected at five centers, Soni said. In several cases, ultrasound procedures were being conducted in the absence of a qualified doctor, and mandatory records and CCTV cameras were not found on the premises.
He said the centers were sealed for flouting prescribed standards and legal provisions under the PCPNDT Act, 1994. Further investigation is underway.