Post News Network
Kendrapara, August 30: More than eight months have passed; however, the state health secretary is yet to submit an action taken report (ATR) on laparoscopic tubectomy by using bicycle pump in a camp. The report was sought by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) within four weeks.
The NHRC had passed the order on a petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer and rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy.
Tripathy in his complaint stated that cycle pumps were used at the sterilisation camp at Banarpal village of Angul district of Orissa in the last week of November 2014 instead of insufflators.
According to petitioner, the doctor also admitted that bicycle pumps were frequently used during sterilisation in camps in rural areas that lack sophisticated surgical equipment. The method triggered protests in the area as the local residents ransacked the hospital where the operations were conducted.
In normal course, insufflators are used in laparoscopy to pump carbon dioxide into the abdomen of women for regulating gas pressure during the operation. As insufflators are not available in many hospitals, bicycle pumps come as a substitute. This proves the apathetic attitude of the health officials of the state for the rural women, Tripathy alleged.
Why such a discriminatory practice was adopted by the state health department for the rural women, Tripathy questioned, adding doesn’t their health matter concern the state machinery.
Tripathy earlier requested the NHRC to take action against the wrong doers and compensate all the victims. He further urged the national rights body to direct the state government to stop such discriminatory and barbaric practice.