Health Minister Jim Reiter says he expects an investigation of forced or coerced sterilization allegation to be completed soon, as he awaits the results.
The investigation began in April, after a lawyer for a Nakoda woman told a Senate Committee that her client felt pressured into a tubal ligation procedure moments before a cesarean section at the Moose Jaw hospital in December.
“D.D.S. noticed that a tubal ligation was also listed on the consent form at that time, which the doctor had not mentioned. He remained in her private space the entire time waiting for her to sign,” said Alisa Lombard. “She believed she had no choice but to sign. She knew nothing of the risks, nothing of the consequences and nothing of the other birth control options available to her, because the doctor never disclosed them.”
Lombard says the doctor who performed the procedure was and not her regular doctor, whom she only met two weeks prior.
“She needed a tubal ligation he said, as she was prepared to deliver the baby and have her spine punctured to administer the medication. D.D.S. believes this was the first time tubal ligation was raised to her. She wished to have more children, but nonetheless was sterilized immediately upon her new born baby entering the world,” Lombard testified.
“The investigation is ongoing. Obviously if that’s the case as it’s reported, that’s just unacceptable. We’re extremely concerned about that. I hope the investigation wraps up shortly and expect to hear what the results of that are,” Health Minister Jim Reiter said Tuesday.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority says it is investigating the accusation and is looking to improve its consent process and a provincial policy related to tubal ligation was needed beyond what had already occurred in the former Saskatoon Health Region.
(Photo: Moose Jaw hospital. Courtesy of the Five Hills Health Region.)