Botched family planning surgeries: TS to take strict action against those responsible

Hyderabad: The Telangana director for public health, Dr. G. Srinivas Rao, said the state government is ready to take strict action against those responsible for the Ibrahimpatnam incident.

Four women had died a few days ago after undergoing a family planning surgery at the Ibrahimpatnam Civic Hospital in Ragareddy district. The government had set up a committee to look into the incident. The surgeries were carried out as part of a Central government scheme.

In a press release issued on 3 September, Dr. Rao said a final report will be released after the forensic report on the impartial inquiry into the Ibrahimpatnam incident.

Since the formation of Telangana, 12 lakh operations of Double Puncture Laparoscopy (DPL) surgeries have been performed. However, for the first time four women who underwent DPL surgery at Ibrahimpatnam CHC lost their lives, Dr. Rao said.

While the hospital where the operations were performed was under the jurisdiction of Vaidya Vidhana Parishad, the family planning programme is under the jurisdiction of the commissioner of family welfare. Dr. Rao said an inquiry is being conducted in both departments.

The hospital superintendent has been suspended.

Dr. Rao further said that the Telangana Medical Council has issued notices to the doctor who performed the surgeries and has temporarily canceled the doctor's license. "We questioned everyone who participated in the camp. We think the victims got infected due to errors in sterilisation," he added.

Dr. Rao continued, "After the forensic report, we will submit the final report to the government and media with the permission of the government. Besides taking action against those responsible, the government has directed the Family Welfare Commissioner to take steps to prevent such incidents from happening again. Necessary regulations are being made for this."

On the other hand, other women are being provided free treatment at other hospitals. The government has reportedly appointed medical officers there to monitor their health. While all those undergoing treatment are now fully healthy, 12 have already been discharged. The others will be discharged in a day or two, Dr. Rao said.