60 Rohtak villages record gender ratio less than 800

Even as Rohtak has recorded a slight improvement (two points) in the sex ratio at birth (SRB) in three quarters (from January 1 to September 30) of the current year as compared to the overall average SRB of the previous year, 60 villages of the district still have SRB less than 800, setting off alarm bells.

Rohtak had registered the birth of 883 girls against 1,000 boys in 2023 while the figure stood at 885 at the end of September this year. Sources said taking a serious note of it, the district health authorities had intensified awareness campaigns in villages and directed auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs) and ASHA workers to ensure the registration of every pregnant woman.

“Rohtak has 158 villages, and nine among them had SRB less than 500 in the first nine months of this year. Similarly, 17 villages have SRB less than 600, whereas it is less than 700 in 37 villages. We have been organising regular meetings with ANMs, ASHA workers and other officials engaged in this work,” Dr Vishwajeet, Nodal Officer (PNDT), Rohtak, told The Tribune on Wednesday.

He said records of all pregnant women undergoing ultrasound tests at private hospitals and ultrasound centres were being analysed every month to keep a tab on them. Surprise inspections were also being carried out, he added.

As far as the district-wise comparative figure of SRB is concerned, Rohtak is among four such districts with the lowest gender ratio across the state in three quarters of the current year.

Dr Ramesh Chand, Civil Surgeon, said efforts were being made to improve the gender ratio in the district. “Camps are being organised in sensitive villages to make people aware of this social evil and the ill effect of gender imbalance. Raids are being conducted and the focus is on the early registration of every expectant woman to check female foeticide,” he said, claiming that Rohtak would perform well at the end of the year.