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Probe into birth control procedures at Dambulla hospital
View(s):Birth control procedures at the Dambulla Base Hospital have been temporarily suspended after a doctor at the hospital was accused of forcing such procedures on mothers without their consent.
The Director of the Central Province Health Services Dr. Shanthi Samarasinghe told the Sunday Times that she had sent a team to carry out a preliminary investigation into the matter.
She emphasized that she was notified about the matter through the media and said charges of the said birth control procedures had allegedly been occurring for around two weeks.
She reiterated that certain medical preconditions had to be met when carrying out such birth control procedures.
“While, receiving guidance and counseling from a doctor, it is also important to receive the consent of the mother” she said.
After the completion of the investigation, if the allegations are found to be true, necessary legal action will be initiated against the accused person/s, she added.
She however, insisted no conclusions can be drawn until the completion of the preliminary investigations.
The Medical Superintendent of the Dambulla Base Hospital, Dr. Charles Nugawela told Sunday Times that the decision to suspend birth control procedures at the hospital was taken after several complaints were received against some of the contraceptive methods being used.
“The hospital has received written and verbal complaints. Investigations into the complaints are ongoing” he said.
The MS reiterated the contraceptive procedure -Immediate Postpartum IUD- had been temporarily suspend until the completion of the inquiry.
He said other family planning procedures would be undertaken only after written consent of the patient was obtained and at the request of the Medical Superintendent.