Sex determination tests: 2 Salem scan centres sealed

Acting on a tip off that a clinic-cum-scan centre run by Chandra (65), a former Director of Health Services, near the Salem Government Hospital has been conducting sex determination tests and carrying out sex-selective illegal abortions, a team of doctors led by V Sathya, Joint Director of Health Services, Salem district, carried out a raid on Thursday evening.

As the allegations were found to be true, Sathya ordered sealing of Velavan Clinic cum scan centre at Mettur. No records on the scans performed on pregnant women were maintained at the hospital. Based on a complaint, the Mettur police registered a case and arrested the former Joint Director of Health Services.

In a similar raid on Friday, officials of the Public Health Department found that Rajam Hospitals, located at Karuppur, has been revealing the sex of the foetus and was also involved in sex-selective abortions. Following this, the hospital owner Vidyasekar (45) was arrested.

Police said Rajam Hospitals was sealed earlier as well for revealing the sex of the foetus and carrying out sex-selective abortions.

Scan machines and other equipment were seized from both the centres.

Speaking to the media, Joint Director of Health Services Sathya said the sex ratio was just 914 females to 1,000 males in Salem district.

“The number of women has been very low in Salem due to sex-selective abortions carried out illegally by hospitals in the district. Already, such illegal scan centres functioning in Vazhapadi, Attur and Edappadi areas have been sealed,” she said.