Panel formed to investigate unusually high number of hysterectomies in Beed

Read | At 36%, hysterectomies in Beed district ‘unusually’ higher compared to state, India

Hysterectomy is a procedure to remove uterus, due to multiple reasons — fibroids, cancer, endometriosis, uterine prolapse or abnormal vaginal bleeding. The advice comes after no medication or alternative line of treatment works.

The report by the civil surgeon shows that 11 of 99 hospitals frequently conducted the procedure. Bleeding was most common reason given by hospitals for conducting hysterectomy in 27 per cent cases, followed by vaginal discharge (21 per cent women), abdominal pain (18 per cent), uterus shifting downwards (10 per cent) and fibroids (6 per cent).

“When hospital records were checked, patients’ consent were shown. The hospitals showed some or other medical condition that led to hysterectomy,” a health official said. The state level committee will prepare a questionnaire for both patient and hospital doctor to assess what treatment was provided before hysterectomy was advised.

“We will also study whether geographical terrain in Beed affects a woman’s health differently,” said Dr Anup Kumar Yadav, director of Directorate of Health Services.

A separate survey will be conducted for 39,000 women in Beed after a preliminary survey by public health department this year showed 223 women surveyed had undergone hysterectomy. 180 of them were above 40 years of age. “There are also cases where young women of reproductive age have undergone the procedure. This procedure is rarely advised for them,” an official said.

With Beed records of hysterectomies higher than state or national average, the state government is introducing standard operating protocol for hysterectomy in private and public doctors. Women will be counselled in government health centres on side-effects of the procedure.