The Karnataka government plans to launch a new programme- Midwifery-led care units (MLCU) to tackle the alarming rise in number of caesarean (C-section) deliveries in the state. The rate of caesarean deliveries has increased to 46 per cent of live births this year, compared to 38 per cent in 2022-23 and 35 % in 2021-22.
“The rate of caesarean deliveries (surgical deliveries) is 36% in government hospitals and 61% in private hospitals, which perform C-sections to earn more money. We need to curb this practice considering the health of the mother and the child. Most pregnant women opt for C-sections out of fear. So, the doctors should mentally prepare the expectant mothers for a natural birth,” said Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, in his reply to a question by Jagdeva Guttedar, in the Legislative Council.
To tackle the menace, the government plans to strengthen the government facility to encourage normal deliveries. The government has conducted an 18-month training under the Midwifery project at Vani Vilas Hospital, Bengaluru and Fernandez Foundation, Hyderabad, for nursing superintendents, who will, in turn, train the midwives and healthcare personnel across hospitals in Bengaluru, Mysuru and Belagavi.
“By July 2025, the training will be complete and we will start the MLCUs at Hassan, Mandya and Mysuru hospitals. In the next phase, MLCUs will be operational in Kolar, Bengaluru, Davangere and Tumakuru. We will also conduct regular audits of C-section deliveries in the taluk and district hospitals to prevent unnecessary C-sections,” the minister said.
Female foeticide cases
Eight cases have been registered and 46 persons arrested in connection with female foeticide cases in the state in 2023-24.
The health minister informed the Upper House that a large number of foeticide cases were detected during the crackdown on scanning at diagnostics centres and hospitals. Since 2018, the state has reported 136 cases against diagnostic centres and doctors for violations under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostics Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, which prohibits sex determination tests of the foetus.
“Around 74 persons have been convicted and fined under the Act and 65 cases are pending before the court. We have set up state and district-level committees under the Act and all the scanning centres are required to compulsorily register through the ‘Balika’ (online software). The state is following the system of 100 per cent registration of pregnant women and keeping tabs on the sex ratio at the village level. A state-level task force headed by the health commissioner has also been constituted. We are encouraging whistleblowers to report illegal centres and activities by enhancing the reward from Rs 50,000 to Rs one lakh,” said Rao, adding that increased surprise inspections have helped fight the menace.
