Judgement of the Supreme Court of India regarding sterilization programs in India, 14/09/2016
Judgement of the Supreme Court of India in the matter of Devika Biswas Vs Union of India & Others dated 14/09/2016. This public interest petition raises very important issues concerning the entire range of conduct and management, under the auspices of State Governments, of sterilization procedures wherein women and occasionally men are sterilized in camps or in accredited centres. The issues raised also include pre-operation procedures and post-operative care or lack of it.
Apex Court directs Union of India to ensure strict adherence to the guidelines and standard operating procedures in the various manuals issued by it and stated that the "sterilization program is not only a Public Health issue but a national campaign for Population Control and Family Planning."
Supreme Court also expressed its sadness at the fact that the National Health Policy has not yet been finalized despite the passage of more than one and a half years and directed the Union of India to take a decision on or before 31st December, 2016 on whether it would like to frame a National Health Policy or not.