Healthcare providers must inform anaemic women of pregnancy complications, says MMA

KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has urged healthcare providers to educate anaemic women of complications during pregnancy following claims that Orang Asli women were forced to receive birth control injections.

“Women who are anaemic are at risk of complications during pregnancy and it is important that healthcare providers communicate this effectively to them.

“Choosing to have children is a universal human right. However, if a person is at risk of complications during pregnancy due to a medical condition, they must be advised by those responsible for their care,” said MMA president Dr N. Ganabaskaran in a statement today.

He also added that the allegations were serious, urging the authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly as well as take appropriate action if there was sufficient proof to the claims.

Two days ago (Thursday), Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the birth control initiative under his ministry was carried out responsibly to protect the indigenous women from complications linked to anaemia during pregnancy.

On Wednesday, a news portal reported that health ministry staff had given contraceptive injections to the Orang Asli women, especially those who had recently married, causing them to suffer side effects.

On Tuesday, five representatives from Orang Asli villages submitted a memorandum to the government claiming that, among others, Orang Asli women were given birth control pills without proper information.

-- BERNAMA