Mandatory ID Proof for Scans; Action Against Violators, Says DHO
Mangaluru, September 23, 2025: District Health Officer (DHO) Dr. H.R. Thimmaiah has directed that scanning centres must compulsorily obtain identity proof from patients before conducting scans. He warned that strict action will be taken against centres that fail to comply.
Speaking at the district-level advisory committee meeting on the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994, , Dr. Thimmaiah stressed that ID cards should be verified carefully, and surprise inspections will be carried out at scanning centres. He also clarified that only specialist doctors should sign scan reports, not the staff members.
The DHO further highlighted that some medical shops have been selling abortion pills without a doctor’s prescription. Joint operations will be carried out with the Drug Control Department to curb such practices, he said.
As part of awareness initiatives on the PCPNDT Act, various competitions will be organized for college students in November and December, the meeting decided.
Currently, Dakshina Kannada district has 189 scanning centres — 12 government-run and 177 private. During 2024–25, a total of 12,540 male and 11,758 female births were registered in the district, with a sex ratio of 938. A special inspection team has already conducted checks at 274 private and 15 government scanning centres between April and August 2025, officials informed.
The meeting was chaired by committee president Dr. Amrutha Bhandari and attended by members Dr. Sundari, Rani Mangala, Anith Raj Bhatt, Dr. Deepa Prabhu, Chandrappa, Vasant Peraje, Dr. Nanjesh Kumar, B.A. Khader Shah, and others.
