High No. of caesarian deliveries at pvt hospitals 'worrisome': WCDM

Owing to the conduction of a high number of caesarian deliveries by the private nursing homes and hospitals for money making purpose by risking the lives of expectant mothers, the Minster for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi on Tuesday decided to discuss the issue with Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO), the caesarian deliveries in any hospital should be around 10-15 percent but the national Capital alone conducts 70 percent of caesarian deliveries.

"The issue is worrisome for the minister. A group of social activists has approached the minister with detailed reports. The formal presentation is on Wednesday following which the WCD minister will take relevant actions," said a senior officer in Ministry of WCD.

The activists have also conducted online campaigns through petitions on social media and have been approved by thousands of people. In response to an RTI query, it was revealed that the percentage of caesarian deliveries in 49 prominent private hospitals from April 2012 to March 2015 has been 65.5 percent.

"The biggest excuse of 'safety of mother's life' to go for caesarian delivery was proved farce as 3,949 women died during caesarian delivery during this period," said Leena Prasad who is fighting the issue through a PIL in Delhi High Court since 2016.

According to a psychologist in B R Ambedkar College, Mitu Dash, there is an immense profit earned from caesarian deliveries. "With the decrease in consumption of healthy foods and increased consumption of fast food, beverages,

According to a psychologist in B R Ambedkar College, Mitu Dash, there is an immense profit earned from caesarian deliveries. "With the decrease in consumption of healthy foods and increased consumption of fast food, beverages, smoking, alcoholism, the woman's body is weak and hence caesarian delivery seems the only way out," she said.

While talking about normal deliveries, she said that besides physical well-being psychological health also plays a crucial. "The women's drive for zero figure and unhealthy lifestyle has worsened the situation," she added.

Statistically, normal deliveries in corporate hospital costs around Rs 10,000 and the mother is discharged on the same day while a caesarian surgery costs something around Rs 70,000 to Rs 80,000 with the mother being kept in hospital for a week.