Woman Demands Government Assistance After Failed Sterilization Procedure in Uttar Pradesh
A 27-year-old woman from Jalaun district in Uttar Pradesh, who underwent a sterilization procedure at a government hospital in 2023 only to give birth to a child 18 months later, has formally approached district authorities seeking financial assistance for the child's upbringing. The woman, a mother of two, argues that the birth occurred due to negligence by the health department and that the government must take responsibility.
Formal Complaint Submitted to District Magistrate
On Friday, the woman submitted a detailed demand letter to the District Magistrate of Jalaun. In response, the magistrate directed the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) to investigate the matter thoroughly. The woman had undergone a tubectomy procedure after having two children, with her 35-year-old husband stating that health department officials assured them the sterilization was completely successful.
The couple expressed satisfaction with the procedure at the time, believing their family planning was complete. However, 18 months later, the woman gave birth to another boy, who is now 1.5 years old. This unexpected third child has placed significant financial strain on the family.
Financial Hardship and Repeated Complaints
The husband, who works as a mason, explained that their financial situation was already precarious before the third child arrived. "Our financial condition was far from sound," he said, "and with mouths to feed in our joint family, there was no way we could afford to bring up a third child."
He revealed that the family has been trying to get attention from health authorities since April 2024, but their complaints have gone unanswered. "I complained to the health authorities many times since April 2024," the husband stated, "but no one ever bothered to hear us."
Official Response and Investigation Underway
Jalaun CMO Dr. Virendra Singh confirmed that a complaint has been received regarding a case from the Dakor area. "The matter related to the Dakor area and a complaint has been received," Dr. Singh stated. "The case file was being retrieved, and an investigation was being conducted."
The CMO emphasized that only after the investigation report is complete will authorities be able to determine whether negligence occurred at any level. "Only after the investigation report comes in, will it be possible to clearly say at what level negligence occurred or not," he explained.
Regarding potential compensation, Dr. Singh noted that any decision would be made according to government rules based on the investigation findings. The case highlights ongoing concerns about the reliability of sterilization procedures in government healthcare facilities and the accountability mechanisms when such procedures fail.
