Alappuzha (Kerala):The Kerala Health department on Saturday ordered a probe into allegations of "mass caesareans" in a government hospital so that the doctors could proceed on leave.
Reports had claimed that as many as 21 caesarean sections were performed at Cherthala Taluk Hospital on pregnant women within two days (Wednesday and Thursday) so that two gynaecologists could go on leave from Friday.
Many of the women and their newborns were kept on the floor in the post-surgical ward due to unavailability of empty beds, the reports added.
Local media had first highlighted the matter, which was seized by youth activists who led a protest against the hospital.
Alappuzha district collector P Venugopal had on Friday asked the district medical officer (DMO) KM Sirabudeen to investigate and submit a report.
Sirabudeen is slated to visit the hospital on Saturday and gather first-hand information.
He is scheduled to meet the operated women and their relatives as well as hospital employees.
The gynaecology department has also been asked to prepare a fact-sheet on the number of caesareans during the last four months and whether those operations were necessary.