NHRC issues notice to WB govt over sterilisation of women

NEW DELHI: National Human Rights Commission today issued notices to West Bengal Government and Malda District Magistrate over allegations of sterilisation of more than 100 women by two doctors in a day without ensuring basic health care facilities.

The notices, returnable in six weeks, were issued to Principal Secretary, Health, Government of West Bengal and District Magistrate of Malda on the basis of a media report and a complaint.

The operations were reportedly performed at a camp organised at Manikchak Village Health Centre in Malda, a statement from the NHRC said.

"After surgery, the women were left in open outside the health centre for recuperation. Some of them were sent to their homes by rickshaws even without keeping them under a mandatory period of observation post surgery," the statement said.

The complainant has demanded a high-level of enquiry and action against the erring doctors to ensure that there is no repeat of such incidents. He has also demanded monetary relief to the victims of medical negligence, it said.