A 47-year-old firewood cutter in Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu has filed a complaint with the Soorangudi police station, alleging that he was forcibly made to undergo a vasectomy at a government primary health centre (PHC) in Sayalkudi, Ramanathapuram. Muthuserman of Sinthamani Nagar near Vembar in Thoothukudi in his complaint lodged on Monday, March 7, said four people — Soorvali, Muniasamy, Kasilingam and Selvaraj — had met him on February 25 and took him to Sayalkudi PHC in Ramanathapuram district and forced him to undergo a vasectomy. He said a cheque of Rs 1,100 was given to him after the procedure.
As per the New Indian Express, Mutherserman in his complaint that the four people approached him on the pretext of asking for help to cut firewood and then took him to the PHC. The report said that as per the complaint, Mutheserman said he was having fatigue and discomfort. He was initially given Rs 1,100 and when he questioned the four people, he was given an additional Rs 3,000, the report added.
A PHC doctor on condition of anonymity told IANS, "The procedure was done with his (Muthuserman's) permission and no-scalpel vasectomy method was followed." The doctor said the 47-year-old had given his blood sample before the vasectomy and was given medicines after the procedure. Doctors said Muthuserman was aware of the vasectomy and that the doctors were not forcefully targeting people to conduct vasectomy procedures in Tamil Nadu.
However, the doctor agreed that Rs 150 was given to field workers, who bring people for vasectomy, as a small incentive. He said Muthuserman and his wife Panchavarnam had come to the PHC after the vasectomy and had been given counselling. The doctor added that people from far-off places reach Sayilkudi PHC in Ramanathapuram as it was awarded the best performing PHC of the state for three consecutive years.
However, according to reports, in several villages touts lure alcoholics and illiterate people for vasectomy for the small incentive they get.
When contacted, the Station House Officer of Soorangudi police station said a complaint has been received and police are investigating the matter.
With inputs from IANS