46% of all deliveries in Karnataka Caesarian, new scheme soon on curbs: Dinesh Gundu Rao

Bengaluru: Holding the private hospitals responsible for the rise in the number of Caesarean deliveries in the state, Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dinesh Gundu Rao on Monday told the Legislative Council that the state government will announce a dedicated programme next month to curbs such deliveries. 

Replying to a question by MLC Jagadev Guthedar, the minister informed the House that Caesarean deliveries have increased in the state, accounting for 46 per cent of the overall deliveries. "Private hospitals conduct 61 per cent of all Caesarean deliveries while government hospitals report 36 per cent of them," the minister said.

Stressing the need to prevent unnecessary Caesarean deliveries, the minister told the House that the department is planning a separate programme which will be launched in January.

"Some private hospitals conduct Caesarean deliveries in 80 per cent to 90 per cent of cases with only a monetary motive and it since is easier compared to a normal delivery," the minister pointed out.

The minister said there is a need to prepare pregnant women mentally for normal deliveries. "We are already conducting an audit of Caesarean deliveries at every hospital to know the need and reason behind the doctors' decision," he added.

The minister also told the House about the government's plan to provide maternity services 24/7 at taluk hospitals too to avoid Caesarean deliveries.

Cut-off box - Foeticide cases Replying to the question on foeticide cases in the state Dinesh Gundu Rao told the House that in 2023-24 and 2024-25 as many as 45 people were arrested following the violation of the Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques Act. Cases were registered at Belagavi Kolar Mandya and Bengaluru Rural.