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SOS set up register for symphysiotomy survivors
Survivors of Symphysiotomy (SOS) have announced the setting up of a national register for symphysiotomy casualties.
‘This register will enable us to build up a national picture of women who underwent this 18th century childbirth operation’ said Marie O’Connor PRO of SOS.
‘Casualties of the surgery have contacted us from all parts of the country since the Prime Time programmes. Some women are only learning now that this was done to them.’
‘SOS would like as many women as possible to register. Given that the Minister has ruled out any meaningful inquiry into this procedure, there is a real need for proper information. Women are being denied access to the specialist help they need.’
‘Symphysiotomy mothers, in many cases, are not even getting the package they were promised by the HSE some years ago. Many do not know what benefits they are entitled to.’
At least 1 500 symphysiotomies were carried out across Ireland. The surgery was revived in the mid-1940s for religious reasons at the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin. In addition, women were used for demonstration purposes to train doctors in the procedure for developing countries, where symphysiotomy, a low-cost operation, was seen as useful.
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Marie O'Connor Press and Public Relations Officer SOS
Author: 'EMERGENCY: Irish hospitals in chaos' 086 81 80 254 |
| Marie O'Connor |
28/02/2010
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