MP rights body asks Tikamgarh collector to submit report

The Madhya Pradesh Human Rights Commission has taken cognisance of the Hindustan Times report about death of a woman at a sterilisation camp in Tikamgarh district and has sought a report from the district collector.

The Madhya Pradesh Human Rights Commission has taken cognisance of the Hindustan Times report about death of a woman at a sterilisation camp in Tikamgarh district and has sought a report from the district collector.

A woman, Savita Ahirwar, 23, had died at the sterilisation camp at Palera Health centre in Tikamgarh on October 31. After her condition deteriorated, she was rushed to Tikamgarh district hospital where she later died.

Taking cognisance of the Hindustan Times report published on November 1, the MPHRC has sent a notice to the Tikamgarh district officials. “In view of the seriousness of the issue, the MPHRC has sought a report from the district collector,” said Rohit Mehta, additional director, who is posted with the MPHRC.

The operations were to be performed on 26 women at the camp in Palera. However, after completion of 16 operations, condition of three women had deteriorated when they were administered injections before the surgery. Subsequently, they were rushed to district hospital, where one of them, Savita Ahirwar, died.

An inquiry was also ordered by the health department; however, its status is not known. Chief medical and health officer (CMHO), Tikamgarh, Dr PK Jain said he was not aware whether the report was submitted or not. Joint director (health) Dr Nidhi Vyas said she would talk later, as she was on an inspection. Station officer GP Vishwakarma said the autopsy was conducted at Tikamgarh and the report is still awaited.