Female foeticide, caused by illegal prenatal sex determination, despite best efforts, still remains a major issue in many parts of the country, leading to a lopsided sex ratio and persistent gender discrimination. In a fresh effort to address this issue, the Ministry of Health has launched a new portal designed to better monitor and manage unlawful activity. 

"Even though there is a complete ban on determining an unborn baby's sex, illegal methods continue to surface," said an official while informing about the portal. 

According to media reports, this recently established portal offers a centralised mechanism for arranging online appointments at medical facilities, pathology labs, and ultrasound centres for prenatal exams. Through this portal, the authorities now hope to keep track of ultrasound tests. 

The order emphasises the convenience with which patients and clinics can schedule tests in a transparent manner, for which they do not have to pay any additional fees. 

To ensure accountability, "all medical institutions must register on the portal, which requires them to post detailed information on each patient's prenatal tests. This includes details such as the age of the pregnant woman, the date of her pregnancy, and the presence or absence of a sex determination test. 

Authorities believe that establishing a solid data trail will significantly reduce the likelihood of undetected illicit activity. "Any facility not registered on this portal will face legal action,"  the notification stated. 

This clear stance is a big step towards stricter enforcement of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, which makes it illegal to do operations based on a woman's or a man's sex. As a representative for the Ministry of Health puts it, "The Health Ministry believes that by collecting and monitoring all test-related data online, authorities will be able to take stricter measures against clinics or individuals who continue to break the law." 

His comment highlights the government's commitment to closing enforcement gaps and protecting unborn children from selective termination. 

In practice, the site is designed to function as a central database, allowing authorities to detect suspect patterns in test results or clinics that appear to differ from conventional procedures. Officials anticipate that this move will curb unethical behaviours and protect the interests of unborn female children.

By combining current technology and mandating data reporting over time, the government hopes to restrict the misuse of prenatal testing, resulting in a more balanced sex ratio. Female foeticide is more than a medical or legal issue; it is a deeply ingrained societal problem that represents gender bias and discrimination. 

The falling sex ratio in many parts of the country has serious consequences: fewer girls mean a future society with uneven family structures, marriage possibilities, and even workforce participation. While the health ministry's new portal is a significant step forward, meaningful transformation requires addressing underlying cultural attitudes. 

Strengthening awareness efforts, educating communities on daughters' equal worth, and aggressively engaging local leaders can all help increase the impact of this regulatory change. Only by combining legal, technological, and cultural initiatives will the country effectively combat female foeticide and progress towards a more fair society.