Khammam: The increasing caesarean operations in government hospitals are worrying officials. Even though the caesarean section is an essential component of comprehensive obstetric and newborn care for reducing maternal and neonatal mortality, doctors prefer it as they lack patience.
A C-Section delivery, as opposed to a normal vaginal delivery, requires incisions in the abdomen and uterus and is viewed as a life-saving procedure for the mother and the child in case of certain complications. These include clinical emergencies that may affect the pregnancy or labour-foetal distress, prolonged labour, excessive bleeding and high-risk pregnancies with a history of diabetes or HIV.
Higher officials who studied the report of the primary health centre in Banigandlapadu near Madhira in Khammam district warned doctors not to go for C-Section. Doctors went for C-Section in 12 out of 13 cases in May 2019. Interestingly, 10 deliveries were registered as the first one.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) warned doctors in India to avert C-section operations. Avoidable surgical procedures act as long-term impediments to the health of the mother and child and could end in death or disability, the WHO warned in this statement.
An often ignored fact is also the relatively slower process of recovery post a C-section delivery and the trauma it can cause. It also increases the expense burden on the patient and her family.
Higher officials of the medical and health department are analysing the deliveries done in May in 22 PHCs in the district.
About 229 deliveries took place in these PHCs, but 176 are C-section deliveries. This figure alarmed officials who began a review.
Doctors and in-charges of PHCs were asked to submit a report on each and every C-section delivery to government. They were also directed to explain the pregnant woman’s health and reasons for the C-section delivery in their report.
At the same time, government is also getting information on C-section deliveries in private hospitals. It is learnt that a private hospital in Khammam opted for 65 C-section deliveries out of 70 in a month.
