However, the fact that Dr Athgune takes an absolute stand is the best example of why this is an issue people should talk about.

In his world, this NEVER HAPPENS. Zero % probability of this happening.

Medical attitudes need to change in Sri Lanka and Doctors need to start listening to patients. If there is a complaint, the answer is not denial.

Dear Iromi and Rana,

Do not mix up the issues. This is nothing to do with alleged ‘war crime’.

What I am saying is that even if this was a real incidentt it should have been an act of an eccentric gynaecologist.

There are much more pressing issue with our medical community than this.

I will tell you one single issue, which needs to be addressed by the medical communtiy it self, government and others, who are interested in health of our people as an urgent matter.

The issue is the ‘private practice’. As soon as a doctor gets their SLMC registration their primary objective is to start a private practice. Is there mechanism to monitor these practices? Who knows what kind of medicine they prescribe for patients? Take for example the prescription of antibiotics. If you go to one of these doctors with one day fever (99% these fevers are of viral origin) most of them would invariably start antibiotics without any rationale.

In UK GP practice is totally different from ours. Therefore, it can not be compared. However, the GPs are very reluctant to prescribe antibiotics. If they are indicated they would start with the simplest like Amoxicillin. This is becasue their practices are monitored by others. They can not do as they please.

I do not understand why nobody is concerned with this issue. SLMC, GMOA, patient rights group etc are silent about it. It is one of the most fundamental of patients’ rights to receive a rational treatment. Unnecessary use of antibiotics makes them ineffective in the long run. Therefore, it would have a bad effect on the society in general as well.

This is only one. These are the real issues, which should be dicussed.

SR,
Last year it was reported that a Vice Chancellor had forcibly sent female undergradustes to hospital for a “virginity test”. The doctors had sent them back saying that there is no such test.
This appears to be the level of knowledge about matters regarding sex & sexuality among educated elite.

Dr.Athgune,
Multiparous women have bare remnants of it,or none at all.That is what I meant.

I was appalled. Back in 1996 while at University overseas, all students were asked to get a annual screening which included the pap smear if they were sexually active.

That was 16 years ago. Sri Lanka really needs to move on. Thank you for shining a light on these issues, especially at a time when we are trying to ensure Sri Lanka’s low HIV prevalence rate of 0.1% is maintained mainly through safe and responsible sex. No adult should be shy to buy, sell and use a condom.

Dr. Athgune,
You are nothing but a person living in denial (just like those who deny GoSL and SL Army ever carried out war crimes ) despite a mountain of evidence to the contrary.
Good luck. Enjoy life in your little cocoon and keep hiding your head in the sand.

Dear Dr Athgune,

“However, I do not think that our doctors, especially a trained specialst gynecologist are so out of touch with the current discourse of patients’ rights.”

As much as I would like to believe this was true – going by the the emails I have received since this article went up online & the numerous anecdotes I have heard just in last few years – it unfortunately seems there are some trained specialist gynecologists who make the visit to the hospital a living hell for some women.

There is no medical evidence to suggest that hymen can be congenitally absent in women.

But, I doubt the above account.
Gynaecologists are not bothered about looking for a hymen during a vaginal/internal examination, as the hymen is absent/not intact, in a good percentage of women,married or unmarried,and they know it.

But in Sri Lanka, where the citizenry is oblivious to people being caught like dogs into white vans and being killed, where does this issue rest in the scheme of things?

When ministers have ready made answers to why human bodies without heads attached are being found around the country, do you really think they would not have good excuses for why women are being treated this way at their medical establishments?

It is the citizens that must become aware of what is going on but with an English article on the Internet is not going to reach that many.