Times
of India: Mumbai: Monday, 22 December 2014.
As many as 22
women in the city died in the past six years during or after tubectomy. Though
it is considered a harmless birth control procedure, surgical complications
reportedly led to most of the deaths. To make the matter worse, the bereaved
families have had to wait excruciatingly long to receive compensation, with
some yet to get the money even five years later.
This was
revealed following an RTI query filed by activist Chetan Kothari; the data he
received also highlighted that 17 of the 22 deaths occurred at public hospitals
and medical colleges. Civic-run Sion, KEM and Cooper hospitals recorded three
deaths each, while BYL Nair Hospital reported six deaths in the last six years.
On an average, three women died every year, most of whom were in the 25-32 age
group.
They had all
reportedly consented to the surgery soon after giving birth. Incidentally, in
the last six years, no untoward incident has been reported about men undergoing
vasectomy, a minimally invasive birth control procedure.
Tubectomy is
essentially the sealing of the fallopian tubes that carry eggs from the ovaries
to the uterus. The tube is clamped or cut and tied in order to stop eggs from
meeting a sperm, thereby preventing pregnancy. The procedure, though considered
safe and effective, is apparently not without risks, as the RTI has revealed.
A detailed
analysis by the BMC health department showed that surgical complications were
primarily responsible for the deaths with at least three women dying due to
excessive bleeding, followed by a vessel injury. Another prominent reason is
septicemia or spreading of infection in the bloodstream, which led to the death
of five to six women. A couple of deaths were caused by multi-organ failure,
while another few by perforation peritonitis or inflammation of the lining of
the abdominal wall due to bacterial or fungal infection, the analysis showed.
Head of gynaecology at JJ Hospital Dr Rekha Davar said injury to deep-seated
organs was the only fear in tubectomy surgeries. "It is the main reason
why family planners insist on men going for vasectomy, or women opting for
safer birth control methods such as intrauterine devices. Tubectomy, however,
is a very effective procedure, if conducted by skilled personnel in a proper
set-up," she said.
But unfazed
by the telling numbers, civic officials insist that more than 22,000 women lead
normal lives after undergoing tubectomy every year. "Tubectomy deaths are
always unfortunate. But 22 deaths out of more than 1 lakh surgeries should not
raise undue safety concerns," said an official. He claimed that they have
started offering IUD devices to women giving birth in public hospitals.
"We are getting a good response. But those who do not want to have a child
anymore still prefer tubectomy," the official said.
The data
received under RTI Act has also brought to light the agony that bereaved
families have to undergo to claim compensation. At least seven of the 22
families are still waiting for Rs 2 lakh, which is granted after a person dies
following a surgery. For example, the family of Naina Singh (32), who died way
back in 2009 at an Oshiwara maternity home, is yet to receive compensation as
her legal heirs could not be found at her Malad home. Another deceased,
Sugandha Solanki's family is yet to receive the aid as they failed to submit
the necessary documents in stipulated time. They have been waiting for six
years now.
A family
member of another deceased told TOI that they had been running from pillar to
post ever since 2011. "We got a cheque with the wrong names of payee. Due
to their mistake, we are still waiting for a part of the compensation amount.
We have approached the bank and state, but to no avail," the family member
said.
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