Spike in C-section deliveries in private hospitals across TS

Hyderabad: According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the recommended rate for C-sections or Caesarean deliveries is between 10 and 15 per cent.

However, C-section rates in India are much higher and they are higher in the private healthcare sector than in public health facilities.

Telangana is no exception to this. The C-section rates in the State are among the highest in the country. While the percentage of Caesarean deliveries in private hospitals is nearly 52 per cent in 2019-20, the figure in government hospitals is little better comparatively at 43 per cent.

The directions of the top brass of the Telangana health department to all government hospitals to sensitise families and ensure normal deliveries especially for first-time mothers is showing some progress.

The Union Health Ministry had issued an order few years ago directing all private hospitals to disclose their data on C-sections and normal deliveries regularly with an aim to cut down on Caesarean deliveries.

Although normal deliveries increased marginally afterwards, they were yet to touch the 50 per cent mark and still the other delivery process figures are higher in private hospitals in the State.

As per provisional figures of 2019-20 put up on the Union Health Ministry website, 1,48,376 deliveries were performed in private hospitals out of which the C-sections were 76, 779 (52 per cent).

In the same time 1, 53, 250 deliveries were performed in government hospitals out of which C-sections were 66,162 (43 per cent).

If we look at district-wise break-up, government hospitals in Hyderabad are performing more number of C-sections (15, 126) compared to other districts.

It is followed by Warangal Urban (4,152) and Siddipet, Nizamabad, Nalgonda, Khammam, Karimnagar, Jagtial districts (between 2500 to 3500).

If we look at private hospitals, Medchal and Malkajgiri are witnessing the highest number of Caesarean deliveries with the figure standing at 10, 472 as against 10,612 of the previous year. Hyderabad (6,871), Nizamabad, Ranga Reddy, Warangal Urban (4,000 to 5,500 deliveries) are next in the order.

Health experts pointed out that presence of more number of private hospitals in the particular district, cases of pregnant women having Caesarean delivery in their earlier pregnancy, families preferring C-section deliveries looking at auspicious dates and timings are some of the

major reasons why normal deliveries are comparatively less in number.