Courtesy The Island

Weerawansa

National Freedom Front (NFF) leader and MP Wimal Weerawansa has, in a letter to President Maithripala Sirisena, highlighted the high rate of Caesarean section operations performed in Sri Lanka.

The MP has alleged that the failure on the part of successive governments to intervene had resulted in a situation where C-section operations are performed to deliver 39 per cent of babies annually. The NFF leader alleged that Caesarean section was promoted for commercial reasons. Therefore, a high powered committee should be appointed to examine the entire gamut of issues with the focus on accusations directed at Dr. Siyabdeen Mohammed Safi of the Kurunegala hospital. Weerawansa said.

MP Weerawansa said that similar accusations had been reported from Kalutara, Peradeniya and Dambulla hospitals though the Kurunegala was the worst. Weerawansa described what had taken place at the Kurunegala District as an organised crime.

Some of the women had accused Dr. Safi of having sterilized them during standard Caesarean procedure without their consent, the MP said.

The former JVP heavyweight expressed concern over what he called undue delay in producing Dr. Safi in court despite the availability of incriminating evidence from about 30 medical personnel, a specialist and 11 doctors.

The NFF leader said that Dr. Safi had contested the last general election from the Kurunegala District on the UNP ticket as nominee of MP Rishad Bathiudeen.

Weerawansa alleged that an attempt was being made to save Dr. Safi, a Senior House Officer, as the ongoing investigation could cast consultants who were supposed to monitor/supervise those serving under them in a bad light. (SF)