Formulate guideline to prevent unnecessary C-sections: HC
The High Court yesterday ordered the government to form a committee in a month to formulate a guideline for preventing medically unnecessary Cesarean section delivery of babies at all public, private hospitals and clinics.
The HC also ordered authorities concerned of the government to formulate the guideline and submit it to the court within the next six months.
The HC bench of Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Md Ashraful Kamal passed the order following a writ petition filed by Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST).
The court also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain in four weeks why their failure to prevent medically unnecessary C-sections at private and public hospitals should not be declared illegal.
As per the HC order, the health ministry, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC) will form a committee comprising relevant experts and stakeholders to formulate a comprehensive guideline for private clinics, hospitals, medical practitioners, nurses and midwives for prevention of medically unnecessary C-sections.
During hearing, petitioner’s lawyer Barrister Rashna Imam told the court that according to World Health Organization, more than 10-15 percent of C-sections are not necessary in any country, but the percentage of C-sections in Bangladesh is 31 percent.
According to new figures revealed by Save the Children, Bangladesh is facing a massive boom in the number of medically unnecessary C-sections. Between 2016 and 2018, the number of operations increased by 51 percent.
The country saw some 8,60,000 of these unnecessary operations last year, while up to 3,00,000 women who needed a C-section were unable to afford or access it.
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