High Private Sector Hysterectomy Rates in India, 95% Potentially Unnecessary

A recent white paper, jointly released by the Federation of Obstetric and Gynecological Societies of India (FOGSI) and the Integrated Health and Wellness Council, sheds light on the concerning prevalence of hysterectomies in India (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Hysterectomy in India: Spatial and multilevel analysis

Go to source). Shockingly, a staggering 66.8% of these procedures occur in the private sector, with a report by Thomson Reuters Foundation suggesting that 95% of them may be unnecessary.

Demographic Trends and Medical Concerns

The report highlights a worrisome trend, revealing that a significant portion of women undergoing hysterectomies are uneducated and hail from rural areas (2^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Guidelines to Prevent Unnecessary Hysterectomies

Go to source).

While hysterectomy is a common non-obstetric gynecological surgery, often performed for medical conditions such as fibroids, abnormal uterine bleeding, and uterine prolapse, the paper stresses that alternative methods could be viable in many cases.

Apart from underscoring the potential adverse effects of hysterectomy, including urinary tract infections, sexual dysfunctions, and depression, the paper emphasizes the need for increased awareness.

Hrishikesh Pai, president-elect of FOGSI, urges medical practitioners to focus on non-surgical, long-term options for women's reproductive health, emphasizing the importance of awareness campaigns and capacity building in this regard.

Moving Forward - A Call for Non-Surgical Alternatives

The National Family Health Survey 2019-21 revealed varying percentages of women undergoing hysterectomies across Indian states, with the southern region displaying higher prevalence.

As concerns escalate, the Union health ministry has requested status updates on hysterectomies from all states, emphasizing the need for audits and adherence to comprehensive guidelines issued last year. The Supreme Court's ongoing attention to a public interest litigation on unnecessary hysterectomies since 2013 further underscores the gravity of the situation.

In the wake of these revelations, medical experts and policymakers are called upon to reevaluate the necessity of hysterectomies and prioritize non-surgical options.

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The report encourages a shift towards community-level monitoring, awareness building, and adherence to guidelines to address the escalating rates of unnecessary hysterectomies in India.

References:

1. Hysterectomy in India: Spatial and multilevel analysis - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8188977/)
2. Guidelines to Prevent Unnecessary Hysterectomies - (https://www.fogsi.org/wp-content/uploads/announcements/Guidelines-and-Reportings-of-Hysterectomies.pdf)

Source-Medindia