Erstwhile Karimnagar tops in Caesarean deliveries in Telangana

Telangana continues to witness alarmingly high Caesarean deliveries, with Jagtial recording 75.1 per cent in July. Three districts from the erstwhile Karimnagar figured among the State’s top five. Experts cite medical, social and cultural reasons for the surge

Jagtial: Despite the government’s efforts to encourage normal deliveries, there has been little progress in reducing the number of Caesarean operations, which continue unabated across Telangana.

It is not just private nursing homes; government hospitals too are performing Caesarean deliveries in large numbers.

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In a worrying trend, three districts from the erstwhile Karimnagar — Peddapalli, Jagtial and Karimnagar — figured among the top five districts in the State with the highest number of C-section deliveries.

According to statistics from the Medical and Health Department, Jagtial recorded the highest at 75.1 per cent of all deliveries in July. Nirmal stood second with 74.1 per cent, Peddapalli was third with 72.7 per cent, Hanamkonda fourth with 72.7 per cent, while Karimnagar took the fifth spot with 71.3 per cent.

As per World Health Organisation (WHO) norms, the acceptable percentage of Caesarean deliveries should be between 10 and 15 per cent. But in Jagtial alone, the figure crossed 70 per cent. On average, 71.3 per cent of deliveries in government hospitals of the district are conducted through C-sections.

Several reasons have been cited for this steep rise in Caesarean deliveries. Since normal deliveries take more time, doctors and staff need to constantly monitor both the mother and the baby, which requires longer duty hours. Allegedly, this is being neglected.

Lack of motivation for normal deliveries among pregnant women and their families is another factor. Many expectant mothers in rural areas suffer from anaemia and malnutrition, conditions that often result in Caesarean births.

The practice of fixing ‘shubha muhurthams’ (auspicious times) for deliveries has also contributed to the rise, with families requesting doctors to perform surgeries at specific times. In addition, some parents insist on C-sections fearing their daughters may not withstand labour pains.