DOCTORS Working among victims of theBhopal gas tragedy have recentlydemanded that a comprehensive studybe undertaken by the Indian Council forMedical Research to look into problemsrelating to the reproductive healthof the affected people. They reportedthat the women have complained ofthe inability to conceive and othergynaecological disorders.
At a seminar organised recently bySambhavna Trust, a social workers'group, doctors admitted that "there wasneed for focused research on exposure related long-term gynaecological consequences". M P Dwivedi, former directorof the Bhopal Gas Disaster ResearchCentre, said long-term impacts ofthe gas exposure included leucorrhea,menstrual irregularity and sterility.
There has been a three to four-foldrise in male infertility among the gasvictims, claimed Sashi Srivastava, agynaecologist. "This is seen particularlyamong males who had been exposed tothe toxic gas in the post-puberty stage,"said Srivastava. Several doctors pointedout that these ailments have their root inthe trauma suffered by the patients, andthat only a proper medical research canestablish the link between psychologicaland gynaecological disorders.