4 days ago
Meghalaya To Study Rising Caesarean Deliveries Across State
Meghalaya has noticed that more babies are being delivered by caesarean section instead of through normal births.
The government says it will study why this is happening.
Opposition leader Mukul Sangma asked for a detailed investigation.
Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla said the state’s caesarean rate is still below the national average.
He said doctors do not choose surgery unless there are medical reasons.
Possible causes may include changes in fertility patterns and women’s health conditions.
The state has invested heavily in hospitals and maternal-care services.
Officials also provide free transport and other support to help pregnant women reach healthcare facilities.
The minister said maternal deaths have fallen by 56 per cent and infant deaths by 40 per cent from 2021 figures.
Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla said Meghalaya will conduct a study into the rise in caesarean deliveries.
Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma sought a comprehensive assessment of declining normal deliveries and increasing surgical births.
Shylla said Meghalaya’s caesarean rate remains below the national average and that sections are performed for medical complications.
The minister cited Rs 750 crore invested in health infrastructure over five years and a 56 per cent fall in maternal deaths.
Meghalaya has also expanded maternal-care services, including free transport, transit homes, trained birth attendants and village-level pregnancy tracking.
- Who
- The Meghalaya government, Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla and Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma.
- What
- The government will study the reported rise in caesarean deliveries and the decline in normal deliveries.
- Where
- Meghalaya, with the issue raised in the state Assembly in Shillong.
- When
- The assurance was given on August 28, during the last day of the Meghalaya Assembly session.
- Why
- The study is intended to identify the reasons for the increase and determine ways to avoid unnecessary caesarean sections.
Government Position
Opposition Concern
Reasons for caesarean deliveries
Government Position
Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla said caesarean sections are used when medical complications require them and suggested changing fertility patterns and women’s health conditions may contribute to the trend.
Opposition Concern
Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma said the rise appeared unusual and called for a comprehensive study rather than simply comparing Meghalaya’s figures with those of other states.
How to address the trend
Government Position
The government said it would identify ways to avoid caesarean sections where possible while strengthening maternal healthcare and institutional-delivery services.
Opposition Concern
The opposition sought detailed data and an assessment of the reasons behind the decline in normal deliveries and increase in surgical births.
Key facts
- Study
- The Meghalaya government said the process of assessing the caesarean-delivery trend had begun.
- Caesarean rate
- The health minister said Meghalaya’s rate was below the national average.
- Health investment
- Nearly Rs 750 crore was invested in health infrastructure and services over the last five years.
- Maternal deaths
- The minister reported a 56 per cent decline in maternal deaths.
- Infant deaths
- Infant deaths were reported to have fallen by 40 per cent from 2021 data.
- Healthcare access
- More than one lakh free transport trips for women and children are being made annually under the Chief Minister’s Safe Motherhood Scheme.
- Future facilities
- By March 2027, the state is expected to have 121 primary health centres, 35 community health centres and 700 sub-centres.
Quotes
Wailadmiki Shylla
Meghalaya’s Health Minister
“Our maternal deaths have gone down by 56 per cent — first in the history of our state — our infant deaths by 40 per cent from 2021 data”
theprint.in
“We will come up with every possible way to avoid C-section”
theprint.in
Sources
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