Sterilization camps are common in India, where more than four million sterilizations were performed in 2013-2014, according to the government.
However, India's sterilization camps may not be the best way to keep the country's population under control as it's been reported that women who undergo the procedure are at risk.
Ten women died and 14 are currently in serious condition after botched operations at a government mass sterilization camp in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, officials stated on Tuesday, according to Reuters. The women reportedly fell sick on Monday, two days after undergoing surgery.
"It was a serious matter of negligence. It was unfortunate," the chief minister of the state, Raman Singh, told reporters.
Four officials have reportedly been suspended while an investigation is set to be held. The cause of the deaths are reportedly not clear, but officials stated they were looking into possibilities, including whether the surgical equipment was infected.
The surgical team performed a laparoscopic procedure on 83 women on Saturday at the sterilization camp, according to the Wall Street Journal. The women reportedly received incentive payments of 1,400 rupees ($23) while health workers who bought women to the camp received 200 rupees ($3.25), according to R.K. Change, Bilaspur's chief medical officer.
"This was a disaster waiting to happen. When one surgeon does more than 50 surgeries a day, that violates a woman and puts her at risk," stated Poona Muttreja, executive director of the Population Foundation of India.
The doctors who were involved were all "well-trained," according to Dr. Ramanesh Murphy, medical superintendent of the Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences, where women were being treated for complications.
Health advocates reportedly worry that these incentive programs encouraging women to undergo sterilization is dangerous.
"The payment is a form of coercion, especially when you are dealing with marginalized communities," stated Kerry McBroom, director of the Reproductive Rights Initiative at the Human Rights Law Network in New Delhi.
