Thiruvananthapuram: An unusual number of Caesarean operations carried out at the government hospital in Cherthala in Kerala's Alappuzha district has caused outrage in the locality, and the authorities have ordered a probe into the matter.
Local people suspect that the doctors at the hospital resorted to the measure because they wanted to go on leave together, ahead of the Easter weekend.
Even as an investigation was ordered into the matter, Youth Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party workers held a protest march in Cherthala on Saturday, demanding that the guilty be brought to book. The hospital treats a large number of people from the financially weaker segments including fisher folk, daily wage earners and coir workers.
The hospital has four gynaecologists, and it is alleged that the Caesarean operations were all conducted between Tuesday and Wednesday last week to enable hospital staff to go on leave through the Easter weekend.
According to reports, as many as 21 Caesarean operations were done in the week ahead of Thursday, which also put pressure on the facilities at the hospital.
Report expected
Some of those who were operated upon, reportedly had their delivery dates a full week later.
Kerala health minister P.K. Sreemathi has ordered a probe, and the district collector is expected to submit a report on the issue. The district medical officer is expected to brief the collector.
The district medical officer is to meet the women who underwent surgery, their relatives and the hospital staff, and will also take stock of the number of Caesarean operations conducted at the hospital over the past few months.
The state human rights commission has also taken note of media reports on the operations.
Local people suspect that the doctors at the hospital resorted to the measure because they wanted to go on leave together, ahead of the Easter weekend.
Even as an investigation was ordered into the matter, Youth Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party workers held a protest march in Cherthala on Saturday, demanding that the guilty be brought to book. The hospital treats a large number of people from the financially weaker segments including fisher folk, daily wage earners and coir workers.
The hospital has four gynaecologists, and it is alleged that the Caesarean operations were all conducted between Tuesday and Wednesday last week to enable hospital staff to go on leave through the Easter weekend.
According to reports, as many as 21 Caesarean operations were done in the week ahead of Thursday, which also put pressure on the facilities at the hospital.
Report expected
Some of those who were operated upon, reportedly had their delivery dates a full week later.
Kerala health minister P.K. Sreemathi has ordered a probe, and the district collector is expected to submit a report on the issue. The district medical officer is expected to brief the collector.
The district medical officer is to meet the women who underwent surgery, their relatives and the hospital staff, and will also take stock of the number of Caesarean operations conducted at the hospital over the past few months.
The state human rights commission has also taken note of media reports on the operations.
