Govt takes serious note, orders audit in all Health Facilities
By: Sameer Lone
Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government has directed that all the public health facilities must undergo a C-Section Audit to curb the rising trend of caesarean births. The step has been taken after the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) has rung alarm bells for Jammu and Kashmir with 42.7 % C-section deliveries, which is second highest in India after the southern state of Telangana.
Secretary Health & Medical Education Department Navin Kumar Choudhary has directed that all facilities must ensure C-Section Audit which has been termed as one of the effective non clinical interventions to curb the rising trend of caesarean births,
Jammu and Kashmir has reported 2nd most caesarean section (C-Section) deliveries among all India States/Union Territories in India.
Telangana reported the most C-Section deliveries in the public health institutions during the past half-decade – 44.5% of all deliveries, followed by Jammu & Kashmir (42.7%.
The newly created Union Territory of Ladakh is at 3rd place with 39.3% C-section deliveries.
The increasing trend, experts term, is not a good sign as it carries risks for women’s health, including a potential risk for postpartum depression.
Within Jammu and Kashmir, south Kashmir’s pulwama district has put forth a worrying picture with 59.7 of C-Section deliveries in public health institutions followed by Srinagar (56.1 %), Anantnag (55.2 %), Bandipora (52.2%), Kupwara (50.7%), Baramulla (49.6%), Ganderbal (46.6%), Kulgam (43.7), Budgam (43%), Jammu (41.8%), Udhampur (41.6%), Kishtwar (36.9%), Samba (35.9%), Poonch (34.6%), Reasi (33.1%), Rajouri (30.7%), Shopian (29.7%), Kathua (28.9%), Doda (23.5%) and Ramban (20%).
As per World Health Organisation standards, the ideal rate for C-Sections in a given population should be 10-15%. This rate represents the fact that they are performed when they’re necessary.
“C-Sections can effectively prevent maternal and neonatal mortality. Emergency C-Sections are a boon for mothers and babies – but there is no evidence supporting a similar conclusion for elective C-Sections. In fact, the latter could become life-threatening,” many doctors believe.
Speaking to Precious Kashmir, Director Health Services Kashmir Dr Mushtaq Ahmad said that they have done a huge work on it with data.
Spokesperson Directorate of Health Services Kashmir, Dr Mir Mushtaq said that in the next one year there will be completely a different picture in public health institutions in Kashmir.
“We are now working in a direction to provide maternity facilities at two-to three places in every district so that the referral cases decrease,” he said.
Mission Director, National Health Mission J&K, Yasin M Choudhary has reportedly admitted that the increasing trend of C-Section deliveries was a major public health concern and they have taken the issue very seriously.
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