As caesarean section deliveries rise, Karnataka Health Department to encourage doctors to focus on natural births

Three years ago, caesarean section deliveries in Karnataka made up around 35% of the total deliveries in government hospitals, but it is now around 46%

The State government will announce a comprehensive programme to reduce the number of caesarean section (C-section) deliveries in Karnataka, Dinesh Gundu Rao, Health Minister, said in the Legislative Council on Monday.

Responding to a question by Jagadev Guttedar, Mr. Rao said the format of the programme was nearly finalised and that it would be announced next month. It will include awareness creation, training, and incentives.

He said that the number of C-section deliveries was increasing every year. Three years ago it was around 35% of the total deliveries in government hospitals, but now it is around 46%, the Minister said. According to him, the proportion of C-section deliveries was over 80% to 90% in private hospitals.

He said doctors and staff will be urged to perform more natural deliveries and opt for C-section deliveries only when necessary.

He said that the government had opened several maternal and child hospitals across the State to cater to the demand. Till now, 60 of the 88 maternal and child hospitals are functioning. “These centres provide comprehensive obstetric services round-the-clock. We are encouraging normal deliveries in these places,” the Minister said.

“Currently, the coaching of trainers has been completed at Vani Vilas Hospital, Fernandez Foundation, and Outreach Institute in Hyderabad. We are also providing training to 18 nurses in Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Belagavi,” he said. He responded to a request by Mr. Guttedar that a similar course could be started in Kalaburagi.

On the issue of fake doctors, the Minister said that in the last three years, 134 fake clinics were detected in Kolar district alone. The Minister expressed helplessness in filing cases against alleged fake doctors in many places, as several local community leaders, religious leaders, and legislators were opposed to this. However, the Minister noted a suggestion by Govinda Raju to increase the number of raids.

Published - December 16, 2024 07:55 pm IST