Rights panel seeks report on sterilisation with bicycle pump

The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) Tuesday took suo motu cognizance of the use of a bicycle pump to inflate women's abdomen during sterilisation surgeries in a community health centre (CHC) in Angul district.

Taking cognizance of a media report, the OHRC has sought a detailed report from the state health and family welfare department and Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) of Angul within four weeks.

The commission has sought a report on why a cycle pump was used for the mass operation in place of carbon dioxide, whether there was any mechanism to measure the intra-abdominal pressure, whether there was any means to ascertain the air used for distension of the stomach was free from bacteria, and whether the CHC was equipped with necessary support system to handle any emergency.

Mahesh Prasad Rout, a surgeon, had conducted sterilisation surgeries at the CHC in Banarpal in Angul district, using a bicycle pump to inflate the women's abdomen Friday.

The incident triggered widespread outrage across the state.

While the Odisha government has already ordered a probe into the matter, the union health ministry has also sought a report from the state government about it.

--Indo-Asian News service

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