Regional News

Change Mindset Towards Girl Child to Balance Sex Ratio: Dr. Shivaprakash

By Editor

Posted on March 17, 2026

Mangaluru : Societal mindsets regarding girl children must change to address the declining sex ratio, stated Dr. Shivaprakash, Superintendent of Wenlock Hospital. Speaking after inhaling a workshop on the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994, at the Netravati Hall of the Zilla Panchayat in Mangaluru on Tuesday, he emphasized that the social evil of dowry is a primary reason for the imbalance in the gender ratio. He urged society to abandon the notion of male superiority and ensure equality by treating daughters with the same respect as sons.

Dr. Shivaprakash highlighted that many families view a girl child as a financial burden due to anticipated expenses for education, dowry, and marriage. This perspective, combined with deep-rooted superstitions and a preference for male heirs, leads to the misuse of medical technology for fetal sex determination and subsequent female feticide. He further noted that child marriage and the resulting maternal mortality, along with low social status for women, contribute to the shrinking female population, which can lead to severe long-term social consequences.

Presiding over the event, District Health and Family Welfare Officer (DHO) Dr. H.R. Thimmaiah issued a stern warning to diagnostic centers. He stressed that all scanning centers must strictly adhere to the legal guidelines and documentation required under the PCPNDT Act. He made it clear that there would be no leniency for violations, and strict action would be initiated against any facility found engaging in illegal sex determination. He called upon all stakeholders to be well-versed in the provisions of the law to prevent its misuse.

The workshop featured technical sessions by experts, including Radiologist Dr. Raghuraj from KS Hegde Hospital, who spoke on the PCPNDT Act, and Gynecologist Dr. Amrutha Bhandary from AJ Medical College, who provided insights into the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act. Several officials, including Women and Child Development Department Deputy Director Usman A, and presidents of various medical associations like IMA and FOGSI, were present. The program was coordinated by District Implementation Officer Dr. Deepa Prabhu and District Health Education Officer Jyothi K. Ulepadi.