Notices to 200 women for delay in antenatal care registration
In a stern move to ensure timely antenatal care (ANC) registration, the health authorities issued show cause notices to around 200 expectant women in Karnal district who failed to register their pregnancies within the mandatory 10-week period.
As per the health authorities, the guidelines of the Health Department state that every pregnant woman must get her name registered with the ANM workers within 10 weeks of conception. A recent review by the department revealed that several cases were reported late, prompting the issuance of notices to women concerned.
In addition, notices were issued to the ANMs concerned for negligence, as they failed to ensure timely registration of the pregnant women.
Dr Sheenu Chaudhary, Deputy Civil Surgeon (PCPNDT), said, “Women who received notices are required to report to the office of the Civil Surgeon with a valid explanation. Failure to do so may result in further administrative action.”
About the district’s sex ratio, she said it stood at 991 in June alone, while from January to June this year, it was 913. The district showed improvement in 2024, with the sex ratio reaching 926, up from 908 in 2023.
Since the launch of the ‘Beti Bachao’ campaign, Karnal district recorded an improvement of 40 points in the sex ratio, increasing from 886 in 2014 to 926 in 2024, she said.
Dr Poonam Chaudhary, Civil Surgeon, Karnal, said the health authorities conducted 46 raids over the past decade, which contributed to curbing sex determination and illegal abortion. In recent weeks, raids were conducted in the Kunjpura and Gharaunda areas to crack down on illegal practices.
“We held a meeting with the transgender community to encourage them to spread awareness about the importance of the girl child and to motivate people not to engage in female foeticide. We also held a meeting with officials of the Women and Child Welfare Department, ASHA workers and ANMs to strengthen pregnancy monitoring in their respective areas,” the Civil Surgeon said.
Haryana Tribune