Karnataka's healthcare sector hit by uterus removal scam

The hospitals conducted the hysterectomies when the patients approached them for minor ailments, such as abdominal pain.
On February 6 the victims along with activists gathered outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office and launched an agitation.
The agitation was called off after the authority accepted some of the demands.

Karnataka’s healthcare sector has been hit by another racket that affected approximately 2200 Lambani and Dalit community women in Kalaburagi district. According to a Times of India report, four hospitals that are operating in the district despite getting their licence cancelled has reportedly removed the uterus of around 2200 women to inflate their hospital bill.

In August 2015, this racket was first busted, and after a health department’s enquiry committee’s report, the licences of the four hospitals were cancelled. But, the hospitals are still functioning and carrying on with their business just like before.

The four hospitals are Basava Hospital, Girish Noola Surgical & Maternity Hospital, Sudha Memorial Smruti Maternity & Surgical Nursing Home and L.M. Care Hospital who reportedly violated various sections of the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Act (KPME) 2007 and Rules 2009.

On February 6 the victims along with activists gathered outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office and launched an agitation to demand criminal action against the doctors who performed the hysterectomies as well as the hospitals, and to compensate the victims. The agitation was called off once the administration accepted certain demands the report claimed.

As per the report filed by the health department, the operation to remove uterus was unnecessary, and that was done after patients consulted the doctors for minor ailments, such as abdominal pain, pelvic pain, or white discharge.

The same report from discloses that 40% to 50% patients were below the age of 40 and were from poor families.

Last Updated Mar 31, 2018, 7:06 PM IST