Action plan to prevent unnecessary C-Sections being implemented: Health Minister

An action plan titled "promotion of normal vaginal delivery, Prevention of Unnecessary Cesarean Section and Creating awareness about necessity and justification of Cesarean Section" is under implementation in order to increase the rate of normal delivery and reduce caesarean section, the health minister told parliament today (August 29, 2022).

Zahid Maleque said this replying to a query from Jatiya Party MP Rustum Ali Faraji.

The rate of normal birth in the country is 69 percent at present while the rate of cesarean delivery is 31 percent, the health minister also revealed.

The action plan includes: strengthening of regulatory framework, strengthening of health management, capacity building of service providers through various trainings and ensuring quality delivery services, posting of doctors at district and upazila levels, ensuring round-the-clock emergency and maternity services through providing necessary equipment, strengthening of services and deputation of midwives at the district and upazila levels, and campaign activities to ensure at least four antenatal services to inform pregnant mothers about the positive aspects of normal delivery and unnecessary c-sections.

To ensure antenatal care for expecting mothers, house-to-house mother gatherings are being held, while various monitoring activities are underway to increase social security programmes to reduce c-section rates, the minister added.