Ministry of Health proposes to prevent and handle violations in fetal sex selection after Tuoi Tre's reflection

Following the series of articles 'The pain of choosing the sex of the fetus' by Tuoi Tre newspaper, the Department of Maternal and Child Health, Ministry of Health sent a document to health departments and hospitals nationwide requesting to prevent the act of choosing the sex of the fetus and verify and handle violations if any.

DTH broker (left) and QL broker in Ho Chi Minh City advise reporters on fetal sex selection services in Thailand for about 250 - 400 million VND - Photo: THU HIEN

The Department of Maternal and Child Health said that recently, Tuoi Tre newspaper published a series of articles titled " The pain of choosing the sex of the fetus - Many large hospitals openly violate the law ".

In order to promptly prevent acts of abetting the exploitation of high technology in the field of assisted reproduction for diagnosis and selection of fetal sex, the Ministry of Health requests the health departments of provinces and centrally run cities, hospitals under the Ministry of Health and the Military Medical Department, Ministry of National Defense to review assisted reproduction facilities under their management and verify the information as reported by Tuoi Tre newspaper.

At the same time, report to the Ministry of Health (Department of Maternal and Child Health) if individuals or units are found to have signs of violations.

In addition, units strengthen inspection and examination of compliance with legal regulations and professional guidance of the Ministry of Health in the field of reproductive support and related fields such as genetic testing and diagnostic imaging.

The Department also requested that units direct units providing reproductive support services, genetic testing, and diagnostic imaging to increase dissemination and education of laws on population and reproductive support.

In particular, the regulation prohibits diagnosis, notification and selection of fetal sex in any form for medical staff and patients.

Perform embryo biopsy and preimplantation genetic diagnosis as indicated. Absolutely do not use these techniques to diagnose, inform, and select the sex of the embryo.

Apply internal control measures such as anonymous encryption of biological products; multi-layered internal checks (double check, triple check...) to prevent the implementation of high technology for diagnosis, notification and selection of embryo sex.

Closely coordinate with relevant authorities to promptly detect and prevent acts of assisting and condoning brokers in the implementation of high-tech techniques for diagnosing and selecting the sex of embryos at medical facilities, in the community and on social networks.

Thereby, strictly handle violations under the management authority. At the same time, promptly report to the Ministry of Health, and propose measures to handle violations under the management authority of the ministry.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/bo-y-te-de-nghi-ngan-chan-xu-ly-vi-pham-trong-lua-chon-gioi-tinh-thai-nhi-sau-phan-anh-bao-tuoi-tre-20250117162207033.htm