UAE | Health
Women now able to undergo sterilisation at private hospitals
Women can now be sterilised at private hospitals following permission from the emirate's health authority.
- By Nina Muslim, Staff Reporter
- Published: 20:43 April 2, 2008
Dubai: Women can now be sterilised at private hospitals following permission from the emirate's health authority.
The Department of Health and Medical Services partially lifted the 2006 ban on the private sector performing sterilisation procedures on men and women two weeks ago, allowing private hospitals which offer maternity services to offer tubal ligation, in which a woman's fallopian tubes are severed and sealed to prevent fertilisation, and hysterectomy, the removal of a woman's womb. Male sterilisation is still illegal.
A senior official at the Department of Health and Medical Services (Dohms), who declined to be named, told Gulf News the authority issued the new requirements to provide residents with some flexibility.
"Under UAE law, such a procedure should only be performed at government institutions ... but it is unfair for patients to come to Dohms all the time for the procedure," he said.
According to the circular, sterilisation procedures can only be performed for medical reasons.
Women can opt for sterilisation if they have had "any medical illness that could endanger their life in future due to pregnancy," if they have had three or more Caesarean sections and requested sterilisation along with the surgery, and have had surgery with complications and any future operations will be dangerous.
The circular also requires the request have consent from the husband and wife, and recommendations from two consultants, which will be signed off by the medical director of the hospital. Dohms officials will then review the request.
Emergency sterilisation procedures can only be done with the husband's consent. The hospital is required to notify Dohms and submit the patient's file for review.
However, the senior official said sterilisation might be allowed for cases that were not purely medical, which would be evaluated on their merits.
Obstetricians Gulf News talked to were pleased with the announcement.
"I have received requests from time to time, [but I couldn't do it],"said Dr Ala Al Sadi, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Jebel Ali Hospital.
He added the regulations should also allow sterilisation from a social standpoint, allowing couples who have completed their family to undergo sterilisation.
"If a woman has five or six children and she is already 35-year-old, then from a social standpoint, why not perform tubal ligation if [both husband and wife] want it? Otherwise, she will have to take the pill for 10 more years [which can be risky]," he said.
Women can opt for sterilisation if they have had "any medical illness that could endanger their life in future due to pregnancy.
Latest news
- Competition for aspiring photographers
- Dubai porter found dead inside container
- Dubai Municipality plans new zoo in emirate
- Strong winds and haze expected in the UAE
- Dubai Police deny reports of Burj Khalifa fire
- New road eases traffic problems in Dubai
- Abu Dhabi hosts strong man contest
- Farmers to be taught techniques to improve yield
- Keep recycling bins open
- President of Wollongong varsity about his plans
- Challenging role in Libya
- Parachuting event promises rich fare
- UAE ministry backs efficacy of Tas'heel system
- UAE students on research trip to Antarctica
- Brothers held in Sharjah for possessing heroin
Community Reports
-
Keep recycling bins open
People should be allowed to do their part as the world moves towards a greener future
-
Bridges needed
Al Ittihad Road has no pedestrian facilities as one nears Sharjah
-
Street lights needed
Authorities urged to act with haste before a major accident occurs in Al Nahda, Dubai
-
Motorists ignore stop sign on buses
Overtaking school vehicles can put students' lives at risk
