PHC Doctors Tricked Tribal Women To Undergo Sterilization

Doctors in Jharkhand tricked a tribal woman to undergo sterilization, which has triggered widespread protests from the social organizations.

A woman from an endangered primitive tribe in Jharkhand was made to undergo surgical sterilization by some overzealous doctors, triggering an outcry from social organizations.

Shobha Dehri, a resident of Paharia colony in Dumka, about 450 km from state captial Ranchi, was operated in a Primary Health Centre a fortnight ago by doctors who had a target to meet, local reports said here Thursday.

She was reportedly enticed with money to undergo the operation.

Shoba belongs to the Mal Pahari community, one of the nine primitive tribes of the state facing an extinction threat.

When Shoba's husband Umesh Pujhar came to know about it, he informed government officials and social organisations.

"My wife was kept in the dark and doctors operated her without taking my consent. The doctors have committed a crime and they should be booked," Umesh said.

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The issue was brought to the notice of the state government. Acting on behalf of Umesh, the social organisations in a petition to Jharkhand Welfare Minister Ramesh Singh Munda demanded action against the doctors.

"We will inquire into the matter. If it has happened, the doctors involved would be punished," Munda assured the petitioners.

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Dumka Civil Surgeon A.K Singh said he did not receive any complaint so far but promised to investigate the matter himself if necessary.

The accused doctors, however, said the woman volunteered to undergo the operation since she was facing starvation and was unable to feed her children.

Family planning hasw been banned among primitive tribes with declining population in Jharkhand since the days when the state was part of Bihar.

In Jharkhand there are nine primitive tribes with a total population of around 100,000.

--Edited IANS