UP: 'Mobile machines for sex determination'

Lucknow, July 6: Despite a ban, some doctors in Uttar Pradesh have found a new way to carry out sex determination tests, a NGO has claimed.

'Vatsalya', which held a workshop here, claimed that doctors were now using vans with portable ultrasound machines to carry out sex determination tests to avoid detection by government agencies and NGOs.

The NGO claimed that the ''new threat'' was a major hurdle in the implementation of Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques Act in the state.

A study by the NGO claimed that the mobile ultrasound machines were an instant hit, especially in western districts of the state.

The vans do not have a fixed schedule, therefore, are difficult to detect.

Instead of carrying out the tests themselves, the doctors use their ''agents'' for the purpose The study also found that certain ultrasound centres were working despite the expiry of their registrations.

Besides NGO representatives, some senior government officials also participated in the workshop held yesterday.

UNI