23 Women Forced To Undergo Tubectomy Without Anaesthesia In Bihar, Probe Ordered

The Khagaria district magistrate has ordered an inquiry into the incident that took place at a PHC in Alauli block and asked the civil surgeon to complete the probe at the earliest.

At least 23 women were forced to undergo tubal sterilisation, also known as tubectomy, without anaesthesia by doctors and medical personnel at a primary health centre in Bihar's Khagaria district, officials said on Thursday.

The Khagaria district magistrate has ordered an inquiry into the incident that took place at a PHC in Alauli block and asked the civil surgeon to complete the probe at the earliest.

"There are reports that 23 women were surgically sterilised without anaesthesia at a PHC in Alauli recently. Around 30 women were scheduled to undergo the procedure but seven fled from the establishment due to fear and informed the locals," Khagaria Civil Surgeon Amarkant Jha told PTI.

"This is a case of serious medical negligence. How can women be forced to undergo the surgical procedure without anaesthesia? The standard practice for tubectomy is to use local anaesthesia. Inquiry is underway and strict action will be taken against those responsible. The guilty won't be spared. We are meeting the victims," he added.