Lok Sabha Question No. 1272 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-22
Subject: Early Elective Deliveries
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: E. T. MOHAMMED BASHEER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1272 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 2 ND DECEMBER, 2017

## EARLY ELECTIVE DELIV ERIES

## 1272. SHRI E.T. MOHAMMED BASHEER:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government has  noticed  that  the  early  elective deliveries  are  encouraged  by private hospitals in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government ha s madeany study on the ill - effects of such practices; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a): As  per  the  National  Family  Health  Survey -IV  (NFHS - IV,  2015 - 16)  the  percentage  of deliveries conducted in the country by caesarean section was 17.2%. Birth in Health Faci Caesarean Section in private health facility is 40.9%. There is n o data available regarding early elective deliveries.
- (b) & (c): Caesarean section is one of the most common life saving surgery. It is indi for  saving  the  mother  and  the  child's  life.  There  are  multiple  reasons  for  higher  rates  of  C -section. Some co mmon and important medical indications for C - section include foetal distress, prolonged labour, and Oblique presentation of the foetus and history of previous C - section. The risks involved in Caesarean section is similar to risk involved in any surgery.
- WHO  in  its  statement  released  in  April  2015  states  that  at  population  le caesarean  section  rates  higher  than  10%  are  not  associated  with  reductions  in  materna newborn mortality rates .
- o In this regard a communication vide OM M.12015/182/2015 - MCH ha s been sent to all the State Principal Secretary and Mission Directors of all States and UTs urging t share the WHO statement with all the Obstetricians and Gynecologists working in t respective states. In addition States have been suggested to c onduct periodic prescription audits in private sector which could also be extended to public sector.
- o Government of India also has written vide OM M.12015/182/2015 - MCH to Federation of Obstetrical and Gynecologists in India (FOGSI) to share the WHO statement among the Obstetricians and Gynecologists under the umbrella of FOGSI.
- o The  Government  of  India  has  enacted  the  Clinical  Establishments  (Registration Regulation)  Act,  2010  with  the  objective  of  registration  and  regulation  of  healt institutions including those in the private sector. Health being a state subject the responsibility of the state to effectively implement the act, however the centre continuous guidance, strict monitoring and directives for the regulation of high ca section rates.
- o All CGHS empaneled hospitals are directed to display t he information regarding ratio of deliveries by Caesarean section vis - à- vis normal deliveries. A communication was sent in this regard vide OM Z15025/2017 to all the CGHS empaneled hospitals.