Alarmed at the sharp increase in the C-section surgeries, the Union Health Ministry has directed the private hospitals empanelled under the CGHS to prominently display the data of deliveries through C-Section vis-a-vis normal deliveries at their reception area.
The move followed Union Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi's complaint to the Health Ministry about the rising cases of C-sections in the country, particularly in private sector.
Maneka had pointed out that while the recommendation of WHO suggests that deliveries through C-Section should normally be in the range of 10-15% of the total deliveries, some States are reporting extremely high percentages.
In her letter to Health Minister JP Nadda in February she had further stated that it is worrisome that the percentage was even higher for the private nursing homes across the States.
Agreeing with her concerns, Nadda said, Federation of Obstetric and Gynecological Societies of India (FOGSI) has also been sounded off about the harmful effects of unwarranted C-Sections. In addition, the States have been directed to conduct periodical prescription audit of the health facilities specifically on this issue.
Recent data from the National Family Health Survey 2014-15 (NFHS-4) reveals that at the all India level the rate of C-sections have doubled over the last decade, while in last 20 years, it has risen six times.