Act now to cut cesarean delivery costs

What happens during cesarean deliveries in Bangladesh, particularly in Dhaka, is no longer unknown to anyone. Many media reports have highlighted the irregularities, corruption, and mismanagement surrounding this process. A news report published on Saturday (December 30) revealed that in Dhaka, the high cost of childbirth is leaving parents indebted. Lower-income families are forced to take loans for cesarean deliveries. In urban areas, nearly 60 per cent of babies are born through surgery.

The report states that the rising cost is due to the surgery, which is known as a C-section or cesarean delivery. Many families opt for surgery due to fear of complications, and often, doctors unnecessarily instill this fear. The initial quote for a C-section package is around 13,000 to 15,000 taka at the first hospital. However, by the time medicine and other bills are added, the cost can exceed 30,000 to 40,000 taka. Many lower-income families do not have that much money, forcing them to take out loans.

Due to cesarean surgeries, the cost of childbirth is increasing for people across all social classes. Depending on the situation, this cost can range from a few thousand to even several lakhs. While there is still a cost for normal deliveries, it is much lower. However, both unnecessary surgeries and their costs are increasing. Despite the higher costs, the rate of cesarean deliveries is not decreasing. According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) Bangladesh Sample Vital Statistics (SVRS 2023), nearly 60% of babies are born via cesarean in urban areas, which is 6 percentage points higher than in 2021. The most recent Demographic and Health Survey report of 2022 stated that over the past decade, the rate of cesarean deliveries in the country has increased by 27 per cent.

There has been much research on why the number of cesarean deliveries is increasing. While some complications do exist for mothers, and fear is a factor, more often it is observed that doctors unnecessarily instill fear and recommend cesarean surgeries even when not needed. Despite the publication of many research reports and widespread social criticism, no legal measures have been taken, and the rate of unnecessary surgeries has not decreased.

Around Dhaka, hospitals have sprung up like mushrooms, primarily catering to pregnant women. A large portion of their income comes from unnecessary cesarean sections. Numerous pharmacies have also sprung up around these hospitals, flourishing with the sale of medicines. Even women from slum areas are not exempt from this. Everyone wants a safe and caring experience for childbirth.

While cesarean surgery does ensure the safety of the mother and child, particularly in cases of complications, unnecessary cesareans should be avoided. These unnecessary surgeries can have a negative impact on the future lives of both the mother and the child. Moreover, the increase in cesarean deliveries is not only due to a lack of awareness, but also the unhealthy lifestyle of urban residents. According to the World Health Organization, cesarean delivery is required in only 10-15 per cent of cases, but in urban areas, it is happening at least four times more. Experts in gynecology and obstetrics state that a healthy lifestyle and awareness can enable normal childbirth. This ensures the safety of both mother and child while preventing families from falling into debt.

In this regard, awareness is needed not only within every family but also by the state. The government must take steps to ensure that mothers and children are safe, reduce medical expenses, eliminate healthcare chaos, and ensure that parents are not burdened with debt.