Hospitals conducting needless c-sections to be shut down

State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Zahid Malek yesterday warned that action will be taken against private hospitals if they are found conducting c-section operations on pregnant women unnecessarily.

“The rate of caesarean operation at private hospitals is over 70-80 percent, which should not be more than 15 percent. If any hospital is found involved in conducting caesarean operations unnecessarily, it will be shut down,” he said while talking to reporters at the secretariat.

Replying to a question regarding the rise of such operations, the minister said they are working towards controlling it.

The minister said they have prepared a form in this regard where any private hospital that conducts c-section has to be accountable. They have to mention the cause of the operation on the form.

He noted that when a woman undergoes a caesarean operation, she faces many problems.

Malek said the government has taken various programme including a rally and discussion at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre, marking Safe Motherhood Day today.

There are almost 4,000 family welfare centres and 30,000 satellite clinics across the country where mothers get treatment, said Malek. Already 15,000 nurses have been appointed, which will play a role in safe motherhood, he said.

Breastfeeding corners have been established at every government institution while private institutions have also been asked to do so.