In a bid to curb unwarranted C-section deliveries, the central government has taken up a series of measures to control this rising trend. Earlier, private hospitals that are a part of the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) were asked to declare the rate of C-section deliveries which take place.
Now, the Federation of Obstetric and Gynecological Societies of India (FOGSI) has been sounded off about the harmful effects of unwarranted C-Sections. Also, the states have been directed to conduct a periodical prescription audit of the health facilities specifically on this issue.
The increase in numbers of C-section deliveries had raised many eyebrows. The WHO has suggested that only 10 to 15 per cent of the total deliveries should be through a C-section. Some states of India reported extremely high percentages. Tamil Nadu reported a figure of 34 per cent and Telangana 54 per cent.
The Minister of Women and Child Development, Maneka Gandhi had expressed concern about this trend and had stated that the higher percentage recorded in the private nursing homes across the states was worrisome. She had written a letter to Health Ministry regarding this issue.
In response to the letter written by Maneka Gandhi, the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, J.P. Nadda has stated that the concerns expressed are well founded and the Health Ministry is taking a series of measures to control this increasing trend.
The central government has sent a report titled ‘Deciphering the Determination and Impacts of Rising Rate of C-Sections and offering Potential Solutions’ to all the state governments and union territories. This report will guide state administrations to frame a policy to bring down the number of unnecessary C-sections deliveries in India.
Subarna Ghosh, a member of an NGO Birth India had filed an appeal on Change.Org requesting the chief minister of Maharashtra to make it mandatory for all hospitals to declare the number of caesarean deliveries they perform. While speaking to My Medical Mantra she said that it should be made compulsory to in all the private hospitals.
“I appreciate that the central government is taking these measures now. But some clear directions should be issued. It should be necessary for all the private hospitals to reveal the number C-sections and not just the private hospitals under Central Government Health Scheme. Also, awareness should be spread among women so that as a consumer of the healthcare service they can make a well informed decision about whether they want to have C-Section or not,” said Subarna Ghosh.