No beds, women made to lie on floor after tubectomy

Aparna Banerji

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, June 16

In gross violation of the Health Department’s guidelines, 33 women who underwent tubectomy at a family planning camp in Nakodar on June 4 were put on the floor after the surgery in an unfurnished room that had no fan, furniture or the equipment to check vital parameters.

The camp was organised by the Mehatpur Community Health Centre (CHC) at the Sub-Divisional Hospital (SDH), Nakodar.

Social activist Gaurav Jain released a video and some photographs highlighting the negligence on part of the authorities concerned. Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has asked the Health Department to inquire.

The video shows some women lying side by side on a rug in a room and corridor at the SDH. Relatives and attendants can also be seen.

The authorities of the Nakodar SDH and the Mehatpur CHC have been trying to pass the blame. In a complaint on June 13, Jain said a camp was organised at Nakodar by Senior Medical Officer (SMO) of the CHC, Mehatpur, where 33 women were operated upon, ignoring set norms.

SMO of the Mehatpur CHC Dr Kulwinder Kaur said, “The Nakodar hospital did not provide beds for the camp. We did not know the room would be unfurnished. Thirty-three women underwent tubectomy on June 4. We kept checking their vital parameters for around one-and-a-half hours, after which they were discharged. We, however, made amends at the June 13 camp where 46 women were operated upon.”

SMO of the Nakodar SDH Dr Varinder Jagat said, “I was not aware about these developments. The camp was held under the aegis of the SMO, Mehatpur CHC. Two doctors from Jalandhar conducted the surgeries. It is unfortunate that the women were made to lie on the floor.”

Jalandhar Civil Surgeon Rajesh Bagga said, “An inquiry has been marked and a response has been sought by the SMO, Nakodar, based on which action will be initiated.” Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Satish Chandra said, “This is a serious issue. We will chargesheet the doctors responsible for the negligence and if the need be, they will be suspended.”