Probe ordered after mass sterilisation camp in Dhar sparks outrage

A mass sterilisation camp conducted in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh has triggered widespread concern after allegations surfaced that 175 tribal women were operated upon in a few hours under unsafe conditions.
The family planning camp was organised last Friday at a government-run social welfare centre in the Bagh area.
Around 180 women from tribal hamlets in and around the region attended the programme. Of them, 175 reportedly underwent tubectomy procedures despite the facility having only 30 beds.
According to local sources, the operating surgeon arrived around 3 p.m. and is said to have completed each procedure within two to five minutes, performing all 175 surgeries in a matter of hours. Following the surgeries, several women were allegedly made to lie on the open ground near a garbage dump in the scorching sun due to lack of beds and space.
Visuals circulating on social media showed women resting on the bare floor without adequate shade, drinking water or post-operative care, raising fears of infection. Some of the women claimed they were asked to report at 8 a.m. but were not provided food or water throughout the day.
Others said they were shifted outside immediately after regaining consciousness. After the incident came to light, the Health Department removed the concerned Block Medical Officer from his post and ordered an inquiry into the conduct of the camp. Further action is expected based on the findings of the probe.