Gynaecologists uphold compulsory tubectomy

They continued mouthing cliches till the last speaker, Rajya Sabha member Govindrao Adik said, “What can we do about the fathers of 13 children each, when they occupy Prime Ministerial and Chief Ministerial posts?” The gathering, largely comprising noted gynaecologists from the country, shouted back “Sack them!” A bewildered Adikthen questioned, “Do all of you believe in democracy?” “Yes, we do!” screamed the enthused crowd.

Visibly peeved, Adik then mumbled, “Let me tell you. This does not work in a democracy. You cannot stop anyone from contesting elections”.

As the debate took off, another panelist, gynaecologist and obstetrician Dr Vijaya Patil stated that given the suffering associated with multiple pregnancies, tubectomies should be done after a single child. “Nearly 370 out of 100,000 women die during pregnancy,” she pointed out.

At the other extreme, Kiron Kher and psychiatrist Dr Rajesh Parikh insisted that compulsory tubectomies would impinge on the rights of women seeking second marriage. A widow or divorcee with two children will not be able to remarry and have children from a second husband if tubectomy is made compulsory, they stressed.

Gynaecologist and obstetrician Dr Usha Krishna, the moderator of the debate described compulsory tubectomy as the only solution to changing the plight of the poor,pregnant and powerless women.