Sterilization norms: Docs hold out ultimatum to govt

BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh Medical Officers Association (MPMOA) has threatened not to do tubectomy, a surgery for female sterilization, unless state health department adheres to Union government guidelines.

"Guidelines of Union health ministry on sterilization were diluted by MP health department 10 days after Chhattisgarh sterilization tragedy," MPMOA president Dr Ajay Khare said at a press conference, here on Sunday. Union government calls for no more than 30-35 operations by a doctor per day while MP health department guidelines dated November 22 have relaxed it to 50 operations per day.

"There are just about three laparoscopes in an operation theatre and mandatory six beds in a public health care (PHC). If a doctor does 50 operations per day it increases likelihood of hospital acquired infections (HAI). State health department policy is inhumane," Dr Khare said.

MPMOA demanded operation in camps should be stopped with immediate step and doctors should not be threatened with transfers on account of 'not meeting sterilization targets.

MPMOA delegates from 35 districts participated in the meet. MPMOA has 4,500 members. The association has also demanded 'that the state government implement extension of Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) for doctors' cadre. A similar scheme doing away with disturbances was implemented by Uttar Pradesh.

Central government doctors are governed by DACP scheme, which was implemented by the Centre on the recommendations of 5th Central Pay Commission.