It's true, too many C sections at private clinics, says survey

Bengaluru: Doctors recommending unnecessary Caesarean sections (also known as C-section) for pregnant women, is one of the most common complaints about  private clinics. If the findings of the National Family Health Survey 4 (NFHS-4), released on Wednesday, are to be believed, this complaint is justified.

According to findings from the survey, C-sections, (frequently referred to as aided deliveries) have increased from 15.5% in the year 2005-06 to 23.6% in the year 2015-16. As per the survey, the highest growth was reported from private clinics.

According to the data, C-section aided deliveries in private clinics have risen to 40.3% from  31.9% in the last decade. We must also note, that C-section aided deliveries have also seen an increase to 17.2% from 16.9% during this period.

Officials at the State Medical Education Department say, “There may be several reasons including the change in lifestyle for the overall increase in C-sections in the state, but the highest incidence of C-sections has been reported from private clinics and hospitals, which is a matter that should be investigated. We hear many complaints about women being forced to opt for a C-section in private clinics by instilling fear in them. The cost of a C-section is around Rs 70,000 in a city like Bengaluru, while a normal delivery would cost just Rs 20 to Rs 25,000.

The source continues, “The non-availability of medical facilities, may also be the  reason few C-section deliveries are performed in government- run hospitals.”

Positive trends
According to the report, Karnataka has made  remarkable progress in improving its health care services. “The survey has revealed that the state has recorded a growth in key health indicators which include institutional deliveries, treatment of children under the age of 3 years, breastfed within one hour of birth and tackling cases of malnourishment ,” he said.