In a firm stance aimed at addressing gender imbalance and reinforcing accountability within the healthcare system, the Government of Haryana has issued show-cause notices to the Senior Medical Officer (SMO) in-charges of 12 Community Health Centres (CHCs) across the state. These centers have reported alarmingly low sex ratios at birth, triggering serious concerns under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act.

The action was initiated by the State Health Department following a recent review of civil registration and birth data, which revealed disproportionately low female birth rates in these CHCs—raising red flags about possible violations of gender-sensitive medical protocols or lax oversight in enforcing anti-sex-selective practices.

Zero Tolerance Towards Gender Discrimination
Taking cognizance of the matter, senior officials from the Haryana Directorate of Health Services have called for detailed explanations from the respective SMOs, demanding they account for the declining trends and submit action plans for corrective measures within a stipulated timeframe.

A senior official from the Health Department stated:
“Haryana has made significant strides in improving the child sex ratio over the years through sustained campaigns like ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’. Any deviation from this progress is unacceptable. These show-cause notices are a step towards ensuring strict vigilance and responsibility at the grassroots level.”

Details of the Action:
CHCs Identified: The 12 CHCs are located across multiple districts, with recorded sex ratios at birth falling below the acceptable threshold of 900 girls per 1,000 boys.

Notice Period: SMOs have been given 7 days to respond with a detailed justification and the steps taken or proposed to address the issue.

Monitoring Mechanism: A district-level task force has been reactivated to monitor all CHCs and PHCs for compliance with the PCPNDT Act and track real-time birth registration data.

Reinforcement of the PCPNDT Act
The action underscores the state’s resolve to strictly implement the PCPNDT Act, which prohibits sex determination of the fetus and penalizes any medical practitioner found complicit in sex-selective practices. Regular audits, sensitization programs, and digital monitoring tools have been instructed to further strengthen enforcement.

Way Forward
The Health Department has also announced the launch of special awareness drives, especially in rural and semi-urban clusters, focusing on gender equity, legal provisions, and ethical medical practices. Authorities are committed to ensuring that public health institutions uphold the values of inclusivity and equal opportunity from birth.