NHRC notice to Chhattisgarh on rampant uterus-removal surgeries

The National Human Rights Commission Wednesday issued notice to the Chhattisgarh government on reports that doctors in the state were unnecessarily removing women's uteruses to claim money under a health scheme.

"The NHRC has issued notice to Chhattisgarh chief secretary asking to submit a report within six weeks on the allegations as reported by the media that doctors in rural Chhattisgarh are conducting unnecessary hysterectomies (uterus-removal surgeries) to claim money under the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna (RSBY)," said a statement from the rights body.

RSBY is a government scheme for the families working in the unorganised sector and living below the poverty line.

It provides medical insurance to poor households and covers hospitalisation. However, NHRC nearly 7,000 hysterectomies might have been done in Chhattisgarh in two-and-a-half years.

"Media reports alleged that private hospitals and nursing homes in Chhattisgarh have claimed Rs.2 crore under RSBY for removing uteruses of 1,800 women and, in most of the cases, there appeared to be no justification for carrying out such surgeries," it said.

"The commission has observed that the allegations, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights of children," it said.