Mangaluru: The Dakshina Kannada District Health and Family Welfare Department has directed all scanning centres in the district to strictly verify the age documents of pregnant women undergoing ultrasound scans. If any pregnant girl below the age of 18 is identified, the scanning centres have been instructed to immediately report the matter to the police.
The directive was issued during a meeting of the District Advisory Committee under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, held at the office of the District Health Officer. The meeting was chaired by District Health Officer Dr Amrutha Bhandari and focused on strengthening compliance with regulations governing ultrasound facilities and preventing the misuse of diagnostic equipment.
Strict verification of age documents
The advisory committee instructed all registered scanning centres across Dakshina Kannada to ensure that the age of every pregnant woman is verified through valid documentary proof before conducting scans.
Officials said that if a pregnant girl below 18 years of age is found during the verification process, the concerned scanning centre must immediately inform the police so that appropriate legal action and child protection measures can be initiated in accordance with the law.
The directive is aimed at improving monitoring mechanisms, ensuring compliance with child protection laws and facilitating timely intervention in cases involving minor pregnancies.
Birth statistics show balanced sex ratio
During the meeting, officials reviewed birth statistics recorded in the district between April and June 2026.
According to the data presented, Dakshina Kannada recorded the births of 2,911 male children and 2,872 female children during the three-month period. The district registered a sex ratio of 987 female births for every 1,000 male births, reflecting a relatively balanced gender ratio.
The committee also reviewed the implementation of provisions under the PCPNDT Act, which seeks to prevent sex-selective practices and regulate the use of prenatal diagnostic techniques.
Applications and inspection findings reviewed
The advisory committee examined applications submitted by healthcare institutions that have recently purchased new ultrasound scanning equipment.
Members also discussed deficiencies observed during inspections carried out at various hospitals and scanning centres across the district. Officials stressed the importance of adhering to all statutory requirements under the PCPNDT Act, including proper documentation, registration and record maintenance.
Authorities indicated that regular inspections would continue to ensure that diagnostic facilities operate strictly within the legal framework.
Veterinary clinics to display mandatory signage
One of the key decisions taken during the meeting relates to veterinary hospitals and clinics operating ultrasound equipment.
The committee directed that all veterinary hospitals and animal clinics must prominently display boards stating ‘Scanning for Animals Only’ to clearly indicate that their scanning facilities are exclusively meant for veterinary purposes.
In addition, every veterinary establishment operating ultrasound machines has been instructed to submit a notarised affidavit declaring that the equipment will not be used for scanning human patients under any circumstances.
Officials said the measure is intended to prevent the misuse of ultrasound equipment and strengthen monitoring of diagnostic facilities across the district.
Extensive inspections conducted
District Implementation Officer Dr Deepa Prabhu presented details of inspection activities carried out over the past year.
According to the report, between April 2025 and March 2026, authorities inspected a total of 681 private scanning centres and 39 government scanning centres across Dakshina Kannada.
In addition, taluk health officers conducted inspections at 75 private scanning centres and nine government scanning centres as part of ongoing monitoring under the PCPNDT Act.
The inspections focused on verifying compliance with legal provisions governing ultrasound facilities, maintaining proper records and preventing violations related to prenatal diagnostic services.
Focus on compliance and child protection
Officials emphasised that the latest directions are part of the district administration’s efforts to strengthen enforcement of the PCPNDT Act while ensuring that cases involving underage pregnancies receive prompt attention from law enforcement and child welfare authorities.
By mandating age verification, enhancing inspections and tightening oversight of both medical and veterinary scanning facilities, the district health department aims to ensure responsible use of ultrasound technology and improve compliance with existing regulations.
The meeting was attended by District Advisory Committee (PCPNDT) members Anithraj, Dr Sundari, Dr Nanjesh Kumar, Dr Raghuraj, Dr Bharathi Prakash, Dr Chidananda Murthy, B A Khader Shah, Vasantha Peraje and other officials.