Ultrasound scanning is an integral part of obstetric practise; and can be lifesaving in emergencies as well. However, because of the draconian provisions of the PCPNDT Act, many doctors have stopped doing ultrasound scans, because they don't want to get jailed for a clerical oversight. Thus, babies who suffer fetal distress during complicated labours are needlessly dying during childbirth, because their obstetricians do not have an ultrasound scanner - something which is found routinely in labour wards all over the world - even in Africa.
Similarly, there are unnecessary complications during MTPs, because doctors don't have ultrasound scanning to guide them during these procedures. Because portable ultrasound scanners have been banned, trauma and emergency room patients are also dying because of a lack of imaging facilities . The biggest tragedy is that we are all blissfully unaware…
