Punjabs sex ratio has improved considerably from 888 in 2016-17 to 919 in 2020-21. Giving the credit to the state Health and Family Welfare Department, the Minister in-charge Balbir Singh Sidhu on Tuesday said that the increase was due to stringent implementation of the Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act 1994 Act.

The information was shared during the meeting of State Supervisory Board, consisting of 22 members, under the chairmanship of Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu.

Stating about the importance of the first Ante Natal Checkup (ANC), the Minister stressed on the need to carry out first ANC as soon as possible or within the first trimester so that any misdemeanour can be tracked by the ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) worker and consequently by the senior health officials.