Maharashtra issues guidelinesfor scrapping sonography machines

The state government

has come up with guidelines for

scrapping of sonography

machines, which are being mis-

used for unethical and criminal

practice of sex selection. It has

formeddistrict-levelcommittees

that will decide on applications

related to disposing of the

machines.

The sonography centres will

have to submit all details of son-

ographymachinesandtheproc-

ess ofdestroying themwillhave

to be video-recorded. In case a sonography centre wants to use

anyofitsparts,thentheyhaveto

take permission from the com-

mittee by filing an affidavit

saying thatthey will not be mis-

used.

“Currently,there isno guide-

line for scrapping sonography

machines. At the same time,

therearechancesthattheout-of-

ordersonographymachinescan

be misused for sex determina-

tion. Considering this, the state

public health department

decided to issue the guidelines.

We want to end allthe possibili-

ties for illegal use of the

machines,”DrSanjeevKamble,

director, Directorate of Health

Services.

The government resolution

(GR), issued by public health

department,statesthattherewill

be a five-member committee,

headedbythemedicalhealthoffi-

cer,ineachdistrict.Thecommit-

tees will comprise an expert,

assistantdirector,a representa-

tivefrom themunicipalcorpora-

tion concerned or Maharashtra

Pollution ControlBoardandthe

ownerof sonography centre.

The sonography centres,

which want to scrap the

machines, will have to carry

thembeforethecommittee.They

have to takepermission from an

authorised district officer for

transportation ofthe machines,

says theGR.

The owners will have to

destroy machines on their own.

They have to follow the guide-

lines relatedtoe-wastemanage-

ment and environment protec-

tion, said an officialfrom public

healthdepartment.