All private hospitals will now have to display data of caesarean surgeries conducted along with information on normal deliveries, as per a new Health Ministry order, IANS reported on Friday. Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi said the direction applies to all private hospitals listed under the Central Government Health Scheme.
Gandhi had written to Health Minister JP Nadda about the unusual rise in C-section deliveries in the recent past. “In recent years, C-section surgeries have shown an unusual rise,” she told The Hindu. “I have received a large number of complaints in this regard. C-section surgeries have a serious impact not only on the health of the mother but also on her ability to continue work after delivery.”
She had also pointed out the high rate of caesarean deliveries in Telangana (54%) and Tamil Nadu (34%). The World Health Organisation recommends restricting C-section deliveries to the range of 10% to 15% of the total number of deliveries.
Gandhi had also asked the Health Ministry to direct state governments to conduct periodic audits of private hospitals.
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