Reproductive technologies and the private sector -- implications for women's health
Baru, R.V.
Health for the Millions 1(1): 6-8
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0970-8685 PMID: 12286356 Document Number: 325614
Many scientific and medical techniques exist to intervene and alter the natural process of pregnancy and childbirth. Examples include contraceptive techniques such as the contraceptive pill and IUDs, instrumental and caesarian deliveries, amniocentesis and ultrasound, in-vitro fertilization, test tube babies, and artificial wombs. These services are provided by governments and private medicare institutions. Little, however, is known about private sector involvement in this area except that the number of private facilities is increasing in both urban and rural areas of India, and that private facilities include clinics, nursing homes, diagnostic centers, and corporate hospitals for both inpatient and outpatient care. With practitioners enjoying wide latitude to recommend and carry out tests and services, unlimited profit-making potential exists. Nursing homes focus primarily upon pregnancy, childbirth, and family planning. 40% of nursing homes and corporate hospitals in Hyderabad had ultrasound testing facilities, while amniocentesis is conducted widely in private clinics and hospitals around the country. 84% of private gynecologists in Bombay conduct sex determination tests which often lead to the abortion of female fetuses. 73% of nursing homes in Delhi had an ultrasound machine, with 80% of facilities using the machines for sex determination testing. Concerns over the cost of raising and marrying off daughters lures clients to test the sex of fetuses and not carry females to term. Hospitals and clinics also capitalize upon the social stigma of marital infertility by promoting the treatment of infertility and in-vitro fertilization. Moreover, responding to government incentives to provide comprehensive family planning services, many private clinics and nursing homes claim to offer services even when they do not. Private nursing homes and clinics offer services to maximize profit. As public spending for programs continues to be slashed and the role of private institutions increases, more attention needs to be given to monitoring the quality of services.