Data from the HMIS are incomplete and not representative of the country as a whole as births happening in private institutions are under-reported. Thus, private hospitals had a disproportionate excess of male children births, which the HMIS sample excludes. It is to be noted here that sources in the Niti Aayog confirmed that they did consider HMIS data but found after statistical examination that it was unreliable and therefore used SRS. Regrettably, the government has prioritised an expansion of SNCUs rather than deal with the issue of the ‘missing girls’. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has to ensure that private hospitals don’t profit from discrimination against girls before birth.

Source: The Hindu August 01, 2019 19:30 UTC