Centre writes to States to curb trend of unnecessary hysterectomies

Subject :Schemes

Concept :

Worried that poor, less-educated women, particularly in the rural areas, continue to be at higher risk of undergoing unnecessary and often unjustified hysterectomies, the Health Ministry has written to all stakeholders to work towards plugging “such hysterectomies performed by certain medical institutions”.
The Centre has asked states to provide data on hysterectomies conducted in private as well as public hospitals with an aim to prevent certain medical institutions from carrying out the procedure even when it is unnecessary and unjustified.

Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the uterus, and sometimes surrounding organs and tissues.
It can be classified as a partial hysterectomy (removal of the uterus), total hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and cervix), or radical hysterectomy (removal of the uterus, cervix, part of the vagina, and surrounding tissues).
The procedure can be performed through the vagina or through an incision in the abdomen.

Issues with such surgery

Overuse and unnecessary procedures: Hysterectomy can be performed without exploring alternative treatments.
Psychological and emotional impact: The procedure may lead to feelings of loss and changes in body image.
Surgical risks and complications: Hysterectomy carries risks such as infection and damage to surrounding organs.
Long-term health effects: Removal of the uterus may have impacts on hormones and bone health.
Patient autonomy and informed consent: Patients should be fully informed about the procedure and involved in decision-making.
Access and equity: Disparities in access to healthcare may contribute to overuse, particularly among marginalized communities.

Concerns and Petition

A public interest litigation (PIL) highlighted the occurrence of unnecessary hysterectomies in the states of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan under government healthcare schemes.

Government action and guidelines

The Health Ministry has closely monitored the issue of hysterectomies and requested States to share data on hysterectomy cases before and after the implementation of guidelines.
Compulsory audits for all hysterectomies are advised, similar to those conducted for maternal mortality, in both public and private healthcare institutions.
In 2022, the Health Ministry issued guidelines to prevent unnecessary hysterectomies and urged States to comply with them.