Meghalaya’s C-section numbers below national average: Health Minister
Shillong, Aug 28: The state government has assured a detailed study on the rising number of caesarean section deliveries in the state.
The shift from normal deliveries to surgical births was raised by Leader of Opposition Dr Mukul Sangma in the Assembly on Friday.\He pointed out that he and his siblings were born through home deliveries, but now normal deliveries are declining and C-sections are being reported more frequently.
He asked if the Health department has data to understand the background of this trend.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Wailadmiki Shylla responded that while Meghalaya’s C-section numbers are below the national average, the trend is concerning.
He said the department does not resort to C-sections unless there are complications and that every mother expects a natural delivery.
The Minister said multiple factors could be behind the rise, including that women have become “a little bit weak compared to the past” and that high parity – third and fourth childbirths – impacts maternal energy, besides fertility patterns in the state.
“We will come up with every possible way to avoid C-section,” Shylla said.
Sangma, however, insisted on a comprehensive study, saying the trend is unusual and should not be compared with other states.
Following this, Shylla assured the House that the process has already started and a proper study will be conducted to ascertain the reasons.
