NHRC issues notice to UP Government on use of crude methods for Laproscopy
The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of an article appeared in the Magazine “The Week” of 22 December 2002, which highlighted the working of health centres across Uttar Pradesh and particularly cases relating to laproscopy and sterilization camps. The Commission has noted that if the allegations contained in the articles were correct, the matter was a very serious one.
The Commission had also received a letter from Smt. Margaret Alva, Member of Parliament, and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on the Empowerment of Women, drawing the Commission’s attention to the same article according to which health centres across Uttar Pradesh were using crude methods such as bicycle pumps for laproscopy in place of high-precision equipments necessary for the purpose.
According to Smt. Alva’s letter, the Parliament Committee on Empowerment of Women at their sitting held on 8 January 2003 expressed anguish to learn that besides using sub-standard substitutes for medical pumps, the same syringe and gloves were being used for over 50 persons in these camps in almost all the Primary Health Centers in Western Uttar Pradesh. This, it was alleged, flouted all the guidelines issued by the Union Health Ministry in October 1999 prescribing standards for sterilization.
According to the news item, the sterilization camps across Uttar Pradesh under the Reproductive Child Health Care Programme have no rules, with human dignity and value for life becoming the biggest casualties. The Committee held that this was a serious violation of human rights and the rights of women patients to get quality health care. They have thus requested the Commission to take up the matter and ensure urgent medical action for the victims at the earliest. They have also called for punishment of those responsible for this inhuman act.
The National Human Rights Commission has thus, on 17 February 2003, issued notice to the Secretary, Health, Government of Uttar Pradesh and the Director General, Health, Government of Uttar Pradesh. The Director General has also been requested to look into the allegations contained in the article and submit his report to the Commission within four weeks.
The Commission had also received a letter from Smt. Margaret Alva, Member of Parliament, and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on the Empowerment of Women, drawing the Commission’s attention to the same article according to which health centres across Uttar Pradesh were using crude methods such as bicycle pumps for laproscopy in place of high-precision equipments necessary for the purpose.
According to Smt. Alva’s letter, the Parliament Committee on Empowerment of Women at their sitting held on 8 January 2003 expressed anguish to learn that besides using sub-standard substitutes for medical pumps, the same syringe and gloves were being used for over 50 persons in these camps in almost all the Primary Health Centers in Western Uttar Pradesh. This, it was alleged, flouted all the guidelines issued by the Union Health Ministry in October 1999 prescribing standards for sterilization.
According to the news item, the sterilization camps across Uttar Pradesh under the Reproductive Child Health Care Programme have no rules, with human dignity and value for life becoming the biggest casualties. The Committee held that this was a serious violation of human rights and the rights of women patients to get quality health care. They have thus requested the Commission to take up the matter and ensure urgent medical action for the victims at the earliest. They have also called for punishment of those responsible for this inhuman act.
The National Human Rights Commission has thus, on 17 February 2003, issued notice to the Secretary, Health, Government of Uttar Pradesh and the Director General, Health, Government of Uttar Pradesh. The Director General has also been requested to look into the allegations contained in the article and submit his report to the Commission within four weeks.