Last Updated on May 14, 2022 at 4:27 pm
Hundreds and thousands of mothers in Jammu and Kashmir are undergoing cesarean section (C-section) surgeries for delivering their babies which is ringing alarm bells. It is becoming a reason of major concern for Maternal & Child Health.
Among all the states in India, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have reported 2nd and 3rd most cesarean section (C-Section) deliveries.
Experts believe that this is definitely not a good sign as this procedure comes with risks for the mother, including risks from anesthesia, blood loss, infection, a longer recovery period and potential for a higher risk of postpartum depression.
According to National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5, Telangana reported the most C-Section deliveries in the public health institutions during the past half-decade – a stunning 44.5 of all deliveries, followed by Jammu & Kashmir (42.7%) and Ladakh (39.3%).
“When we come to private health institutions, this data is worse for J&K as the UT reported 82.1 % C-Section deliveries which means for every 100 cases, 82 deliveries were done through C-Section. However, Ladakh reported zero cases of C-Section in private health institutions which can be attributed to absence of such health institutions in the UT.
The NFHS-5 further revealed that Pulwama reported the most 59.7 % of C-Section deliveries in public health institutions among J&K districts, 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%).
Survey was done only in 4 districts of J&K for private health institutions and among them Srinagar reported highest 91.3 % C-Section deliveries, followed by Baramulla (85.1%), Kupwara (80.7%) and Bandipora (49.2%).
Experts said that doctors in private health institutions prefer C-Section deliveries as C-Section costs more than the normal delivery. The similar trend is now being followed in public hospitals and there is no accountability for the same.
Mission Director, National Health Mission J&K, Yasin M Choudhary said that increasing trend of C-Section deliveries is a surely alarming which results in risks associated with maternal and perinatal problems.
