M A I N   N E W S

the untold family planning story
Sterilisation deaths, complications, hard-to-get relief
Aditi Tandon/TNS

New Delhi, July 11
Deaths and failures arising from sterilisation procedures are not being properly accounted for or adequately compensated in India.

Most acceptors, especially the poor, get no proof of sterilisation procedure and are therefore unable to file claims for compensation despite a government scheme in place.

The little-known Family Planning Insurance Scheme, launched in 2005 by the Health Ministry following directions of the Supreme Court, compensates acceptors and families for deaths following sterilisation, failed sterilisation and complications.

The following compensation is allowed: Rs two lakh for death following sterilisation in the hospital or within seven days of discharge; Rs 50,000 for death following sterilisation within 8 to 30 days of discharge; Rs 30,000 for failed sterilisation and Rs 25,000 for any complication within 60 days of discharge from the hospital.

Inquiries, however, reveal that in most cases, acceptors are unable to file claims as they don’t have the certificate of sterilisation from government doctors.

Health activist Ramakant Rai, on whose PIL the SC had ordered the scheme, told The Tribune today that he was planning to file a rejoinder in the apex court to reveal the hollowness of the scheme.

“In 80 per cent cases, acceptors suffering complications are unable to prove they were operated upon. The SC had mandated states to main records of each sterilisation death and complication but that is not being done. Data is hardly available. The SC had said no surgeon would conduct more than 30 sterilisations a day but states are awarding doctors who have conducted 70 procedures in a day,” Rai said.

The latest data available on claims relates to 2008-2009. As many as 3,242 claims were filed that year with Oriental Insurance managing the scheme. Of these, 423 were rejected and 967 were outstanding; 1,852 were paid. The percentage of rejected and unsettled claims was a whopping 42.

Of these, 158 claims related to deaths following sterilisation; 119 cases to complications and 2,964 cases involved failed sterilisation. Rajasthan accounted for the highest 1,068 claims followed by UP at 714, MP at 488, Maharashtra at 154. From Haryana, 100 claims were made and from Punjab, Himachal, J&K and Uttarakhand, 18, 32, 42, and 64 claims were made respectively. Most claims involving deaths were from UP (22) followed by Maharashtra (20).

“Most claims were rejected on grounds that there was no proof of the death on account of sterilisation. We tried to get more data but the latest we got was for 2008-09. Data is not being maintained properly,” Abhijit Das, a demographic expert said.

Devika Biswas, a health worker from Araria where 53 women sterilised this January suffered severe complications, said none of the acceptors were able to seek compensation.

“These women were sterilized in the most unhygienic conditions and most suffered complications. They were not given any proof of sterilisation and had to spend their own money for post-operative care,” said Biswas, who has filed a PIL in the matter in SC.

Female sterilisation makes up 37.3% of the 48.4% contraception in India.