Rising rate of C-sections worrying

We commend the state minister for health and family welfare for stating that action will be taken against private hospitals if they are found to perform C-section operations on pregnant women without a valid reason and for taking note of the fact that the rate of C-section operations in private hospitals in the country far exceeds the recommended level put forward by World Health Organization which is 10-15 percent.

The rising rate of C-sections in the country, particularly in private hospitals, is extremely concerning. The Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey (BDHS) 2014 found that a staggering 80 percent of deliveries in private facilities were caesarean. One of the factors driving this trend is of course financial motive as C-sections cost at least twice that of normal deliveries. Another major reason is the lack of trained staff who can carry out normal deliveries and insufficient manpower at clinics and hospitals. 

C-section is supposed to be performed if a normal delivery is perceived to be risky for the mother. Factors can range from obesity, diabetes, and maternal age to birth-related complications. Thus C-section is considered to be a lifesaving procedure undertaken as a last resort. However, hospitals in the country seem to be overusing C-sections at a large scale due to the factors stated above. It must be noted that C-sections too have associated risks for both the mother and the child.

While we welcome the state minister's comments, we must say that such assurances are not enough. The government should act upon its words and take punitive action against hospitals that are unnecessarily performing C-sections. There is also a need for trained staff who can perform normal deliveries in health complexes and deployment of educated midwives—as recommended in a UNFPA report—who can play an important role in reducing maternal mortality.