Mass Sterilisation Shock in Dhar: 170 Women Operated in One Day, Inquiry Ordered

Dhar, Madhya Pradesh / New Delhi: A family planning sterilisation camp held at the Bagh Community Health Centre in Dhar district on 13 February 2026 has sparked major controversy after at least 173 women were sterilised in a single day, far exceeding the sanctioned limit of 30 procedures per camp, triggering an official inquiry and disciplinary action by health authorities. 

Local health officials, led by Chief Medical and Health Officer Anita Singhale, confirmed the violation of state health protocols and said stern action is being taken against responsible staff. “As per the protocol, we were supposed to perform 30 sterilisation operations in one camp, but operations were carried out on 173 women, which should not have happened,” Singhale said in an official statement on Monday. 

Eyewitness accounts and visual footage from the camp have raised alarm over severe procedural and infrastructure lapses. Videos show women – many believed to be tribal residents – being made to lie on the bare ground in open sunlight after procedures, without adequate beds, drinking water, shade or basic post‑operative care facilities. 

According to some reports, a single contracted doctor performed hundreds of surgeries, with individual procedures reportedly completed in as little as two to five minutes, raising serious questions about surgical safety, hygiene and compliance with medical standards. 

One woman who underwent the procedure described her experience: “I didn’t pay attention inside because of anesthesia afterwards I was taken out and made to lie on the ground in the sun. There were many women like that. There were no beds, no water, nothing.” 

Health Department Takes Action

In response to the backlash, the health department has issued show cause notices to four camp in‑charges and other staff members, including Block Medical Officer (BMO) Virbhadra Singh Muvel. The BMO has been removed from the Community Health Centre in Bagh and attached to the district headquarters with immediate effect, and a disciplinary proceeding has been initiated with senior authorities. 

Officials have reiterated that the state’s family planning protocols clearly permit only up to 30 sterilisation operations in a single camp to ensure safety and quality of care. Singhale has reportedly instructed all BMOs across the district to strictly adhere to these guidelines in future camps. 

Public Outcry and Systemic Concerns

The Dhar incident has sparked widespread criticism from community members and health activists, who claim that over‑crowding and rushed procedures endanger women’s health and undermine trust in public health programmes. Videos circulating on social media have intensified scrutiny of health officials and raised calls for transparent investigation and safeguards for patient safety. 

While health authorities maintain that no serious post‑operative complications have so far been reported, the health department has said it will continue to monitor the situation and enforce corrective measures to prevent similar lapses.