Modern technologies including IVF procedures, the Non-Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT), and compact diagnostic equipment, which facilitate sex selection under the pretext of family balancing continue to pose challenge in ensuring a gender balance in the country said Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, during the 29th meeting of the Central Supervisory Board (CSB) held recently.
He said that these technologies, despite their positive medical applications, could be misused and exacerbate gender imbalances. The Ministry has also called upon the medical community to play a vital role in addressing the declining child sex ratio and sex ratio at birth by identifying black sheep within their profession.
The primary concern discussed at the meeting was the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) in the country, indicative of the ongoing battle against sex-based discrimination leading to sex selection/ determination followed by pre-birth elimination.
