Mangaluru: Pregnant women in Dakshina Kannada must obtain a ‘Thayi Card’ and carry it whenever they visit scanning centres, District Health and Family Welfare Officer Dr H R Thimmaiah has said.
Speaking at a meeting of the district-level advisory committee on the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection and Misuse) Act, 1994, Dr Thimmaiah stressed the importance of the card in monitoring maternal health and ensuring that pregnant women receive necessary healthcare services on time.
The meeting was held at the office of the District Health and Family Welfare Officer in Mangaluru.
Thayi Card important for maternal health
Dr Thimmaiah said the ‘Thayi Card’ serves as an important record containing details required for monitoring the health of a pregnant woman during pregnancy.
“Every pregnant woman must compulsorily obtain a Thayi Card,” he said, stressing that the document should be carried without fail whenever she visits a scanning centre.
The card enables healthcare personnel to keep track of the woman’s pregnancy and facilitates the delivery of necessary medical services at the appropriate time.
Dr Thimmaiah urged pregnant women who have not yet obtained the card to approach the nearest government health facility or seek assistance from local health workers.
Women can obtain assistance from a government Primary Health Centre (PHC), Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC), Community Health Centre (CHC) or taluk hospital.
They can also approach health workers or seek assistance from Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), who can help them access the required healthcare services.
Regular inspections of scanning centres ordered
Dr Thimmaiah also directed officials to conduct regular inspections of scanning centres across Dakshina Kannada and closely monitor their compliance with the PCPNDT Act.
The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994, is aimed at preventing sex selection and regulating the use of prenatal diagnostic techniques to prevent their misuse for sex determination.
The District Health and Family Welfare Officer instructed officials to verify whether scanning centres are adhering to the provisions of the Act during inspections.
He said any violation detected during inspections should be dealt with appropriately by the concerned authorities.
The instructions assume significance in ensuring that diagnostic facilities operate in accordance with the legal requirements and that prenatal diagnostic services are not misused for prohibited purposes.
Officials asked to monitor compliance
The advisory committee discussed the need for continued monitoring of scanning centres and strict implementation of the provisions governing prenatal diagnostic procedures.
Officials have been directed to maintain regular oversight of such establishments and take appropriate action wherever violations are detected.
The monitoring mechanism is intended to ensure compliance with the law while also supporting proper maternal healthcare practices.
Dr Thimmaiah emphasised that pregnant women should also be made aware of the importance of maintaining their health records and carrying the required documents when accessing diagnostic services.
Health workers and ASHA personnel can play an important role in ensuring that women receive information about the Thayi Card and other maternal healthcare services.
Advisory committee members attend meeting
District PNDT advisory committee chairperson Dr Amrutha Bhandari and district inspection and monitoring committee member Dr Sundari were among those present at the meeting.
Other members of the district-level advisory committee also participated in the discussions.
The directions issued at the meeting focused on two key areas — strengthening maternal health monitoring through the Thayi Card and ensuring strict compliance with the PCPNDT Act at scanning centres in Dakshina Kannada.
Dr Thimmaiah urged officials to maintain regular inspections and ensure that any violations identified during monitoring are followed by appropriate action.
The health department’s emphasis on the Thayi Card is intended to ensure that pregnant women have their relevant maternal health records available when accessing diagnostic services and that healthcare providers can monitor their needs effectively.