Karnataka: report reveals over 2000 unwarranted hysterectomies performed in 30 months in kalburgi

Only 25 of the 37 private hospitals in Kalabragi, submitted details of the hysterectomies performed. In August 2015, media reports exposed the unwanted hysterectomies performed on women

belonging to lower income families by hospitals, prompting the state government to order for a probe. An expert committee appointed by the Karnataka government found that a total of 2,258

unnecessary hysterectomies in 30 months in the private hospitals of Kalburgi, Karnataka.  According to a report in THE HINDU, a 12-page report submitted to the government after the inquiry

revealed the extent to which such operations were performed in the private hospitals of Kalburagi city. It found that of 37 hospitals only 25 had submitted details of the operations. 900 of

the total hysterectomies were performed at Noola Surgical and Maternity Hospital which had breached ethical practices by failing to write examination reports that detailed why a surgery was

necessary. The committee which submitted the report was headed by A Ramachandra Bairy, Deputy Director (Maternal Health) in the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare Services. The report

submitted to the government in October 2015 by the committee and was obtained by the NGO Karnataka Janarogya Chaluvali through RTI. The report was released to the media on Wednesday.  The

report says, “Histopathological examination reports of the operative specimens were missing in the records, and the detailed discharge summaries were not given to the patients and no proper

bills were issued to the patients. There was no medical records’ room in the hospital. The committee, besides recommending action against the hospital for violation of the KPMEA Act, and

PCPN DT Act and violation of Bio Medical Waste Management Act, has recommended for close monitoring of the hospital activities by authorities concerned for the next six months. Even after

the hysterectomies, the pathology was not proved as many of the specimens were not sent for histopathological examination post-operation, which was a gross deviation from good clinical

practices.”