Shillong, Aug 28 (PTI): The Meghalaya government will conduct a study on the rise in caesarean section deliveries in the state, Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla told the Assembly on Friday. The assurance was made after Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma raised concern over the trend on the last day of the session.
Raising the issue during the first hour, Sangma pointed to a shift from normal deliveries to surgical births and sought data from the health department to understand the reasons behind the trend. Citing his own example, Sangma said he and his siblings were born through home deliveries, but normal deliveries were now declining while caesarean sections were being reported more frequently. Responding to the concern, Shylla said Meghalaya’s caesarean section rate was below the national average, but acknowledged that the rising trend was a matter of concern. He said the department does not resort to caesarean sections unless there are medical complications and that every mother would ideally prefer a natural delivery. The minister said several factors could be contributing to the trend, including changes in fertility patterns and the health and physical condition of women.
“We will come up with every possible way to avoid C-section,” Shylla said. Sangma, however, stressed the need for a comprehensive study, saying the trend appeared unusual and should not simply be compared with figures from other states.
