‘Women being misled to undergo hysterectomy’

NT Correspondent

Former Chairperson of Karnataka State Commission for Women Nagalakshmi Bai on Tuesday alleged that the funds meant for the Yashaswini Health Insurance Scheme was being misused.

She told media persons that some doctors in Kalaburagi and Haveri had performed hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) unnecessarily by misleading the patients as well as the government. She said, “Uteruses of around 2,200 women were surgically removed in four nursing homes in Kalaburagi, according to an investigation team. In Haveri, the same was being done in government hospitals. Close to 40% of women of the Lambani tribe have undergone hysterectomy, many of whom are now facing health issues like nervous weakness, inability to walk, dental problems, etc.” She alleged that women below 30 were also registered as 40-year-old.

Nagalakshmi Bai warned the government against the potential misuse of funds under the Yashaswini scheme that will be launched again by the State Government on April 1. She suggested that the authorities either exclude hysterectomy from the scheme or establish teams of specialists to evaluate the need for surgery in each case.

Nagalakshmi Bai had earlier worked as a journalist. In 2001, she had reported on the rampant issue of sale of children.