Bhopal, November 2: Tribal women alleged that an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD), a birth control device, commonly known as Copper-T, was inserted in their bodies without consent at a government hospital. According to a victim, this happened in early January when she gave birth to her second child at a local government health facility in Samnapur block of Madhya Pradesh’s tribal-dominated Dindori district.

The woman said a nurse at the medical facility made her sign a form to show that the insertion of Copper-T was done as per my will. “Soon after the delivery, the nurse told me that the Copper-T has been inserted. When I asked why did she do it against my will, she responded saying it was for my good and convenience. I was in discomfort and bleeding profusely that night. Later, she came up with a form and sought my signature to show that this was done with my consent,” she told Indian Express.

Another woman shared a similar experience and said that she was slapped when she resisted against insertion of the birth control device. Another woman said Copper-T was inserted in her body days before she delivered a baby. “Nurse didn’t even inform me that she was planning to insert Copper-T. I had no clue about it. She inserted it under the guise of checking normally. It got expulsed on its own six days after my delivery,” she was quoted as saying.

Block Medical Officer RS Thakur dismissed the allegations and said the consent is always taken before insertion of Copper-T. “Actually they are illiterate and most of them don’t have proper information about Copper-T. They think it is not beneficial and, hence, they believe nurses are forcing them,” he said. “It has minimal complication. If someone doesn’t understand the process, we don’t pressurise,” he added.

Reacting to a serious allegation of forceful insertion of the birth control device, Lata Wankhede, the state women’s commission chairperson, said they would take strict action if the women file a written complaint.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 02, 2018 08:02 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).