Karnataka: Women's commission finds many cases of uterus removal

BELAGAVI: The state’s Women's Commission has uncovered several cases of some private hospitals involved in illegal removal of women's uterus for money under the government-sponsored Yashaswini health scheme.

And to effectively check such cases, the commission has already drawn up a report which would be submitted to the government shortly, according to chairperson Manjula Manas.

The commission was investigating several such cases after gathering information from its sources and preparing a report on it, she said at a meeting in Belagavi but declined to share more information on the issue as the process of investigation.

In the guise of offering treatment to women who approach some private hospitals for treatment, their uterus was being removed, she said while adding that such cases were on the rise in Kalaburgi and Bidar districts where attempts were being made to draw money by carrying out uterus removal surgeries illegally.

In order to create awareness among women about the importance of uterus and under what circumstances they should be removed by doctors, the commission would initiate measures to display information about issues related to uterus in all hospitals, she added.

According to her, the commission formed to respond to women's problems was yet to reach women who were facing several problems at the grassroots.

The commission had to take measures to resolve problems which women faced at both taluk and village levels, she said while assuring people that the commission would come up with an effective action plan to extend its reach all over the state.

Commenting on the ongoing investigation into DySP Anupama Shenoy's case, Ms Manas said the commission would take up investigation into her case on July 16.

Ms Anupama's first round of investigation was attended by her assistant while the former officer attended the second round. Again on July 16, Anupama would be present with the commission, said Ms Manas.

The commission would organize a two-day divisional level workshop for women in the third week of August at Suvarna Vidhan Soudha in Belagavi.