Peru to Discontinue Sterilization Program Targeted to Poor

The Peruvian government has announced intentions to end the targeting of poor women for sterilization. The government had previously been charged with offering rewards to health care workers for sterilizing a minimum number of poor women. The health workers often offered food, clothing and supplies to the women, in exchange for obtaining a tubal ligation. Although tubal ligation is normally a safe procedure, unclean medical conditions and untrained workers often caused death or illness. AP – February 26, 1998