In a recent ruling, the Madras High Court ruled that AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) doctors cannot conduct sonographies and other prenatal diagnostic tests on pregnant women if they are not qualified as per the Pre-Conception & Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PNDT) Act and Rules. According to Justice SM Subramaniam, a doctor can only perform such diagnostic tests if they are qualified as per the Central PNDT Act, regardless of their practice of allopathic medicine or any other form of medicine.
The court rejected three writ petitions filed by the Tamil Nadu Association of AYUSH Sonologists, which represents medical professionals practicing Homeopathy, Unani, Ayurveda, and other alternative forms of medicine.
The petitioners argued that they hold valid degrees from reputable institutions in their respective medical streams and that diagnostic procedures were part of their prescribed syllabus.
They also said that they had undergone certificate courses in ultrasonography and were qualified to conduct diagnostic procedures and ultrasonogram techniques on pregnant women, as long as they did not engage in sex selection.
The Tamil Nadu government, however, said that doctors must be qualified as per the provisions of the PNDT Act, as it is a Central Act.