Rising C-section deliveries in state worries minister
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 04 2023:
Raising concern over the increasing cases of Caesarean Section (CS) delivery in the state while hinting at its possible link to the falling fertility rate, health and family welfare minister Dr Sapam Ranjan has called upon the people to opt for normal delivery as much as possible.
The minister was speaking at 'Meerolbeesingee Khudol', a special state initiative programme jointly organised by Directorate of Health Services and Maternal Health Division of National Health Mission (NHM), Manipur under Pradhan Mantri Surakshit MatritVa Abhiyan (PMSMA) at the relief camp for pregnant and lactating women at Khuman Lampak Youth Hostel here on Friday.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister explained the importance of maintaining a healthy fertility rate in order to maintain a stable population.
Decreasing population is a serious issue, especially for minority communities and there is a need to maintain stable population demography.
The overall replacement fertility rate for the state is 2.17 children per woman but the rate is lower in some communities.
In the state, there is high prevalence of C-section birth, which has become a matter of concern.
There is a need for the public to opt normal delivery as much as possible.
Upon a brief review, it was found that there are multiple cases of elective C-section child delivery among the people.
While C-section delivery is required when there are potential complications for the mother or the child, in case of absence of such complications, people should opt for normal delivery, he said.
BJP.
Manipur Pradesh president A Sharda, who also attended the programme, spoke on the initiatives taken up under PMSMA as well as the initiatives taken up for pregnant women, who have been displaced due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the state by setting up separate relief camps for them.
There are 80 pregnant women registered in the relief camp out of which 38 had delivered babies.
Of them three delivered twins, she said and added that Ipaan Thaba ceremonies of these new-borns are conducted as per their religious affiliation in the relief camp.
NHM state mission director Dr Somorjit Ningom bam, additional director Dr Y Gopalkrishna and several gynaecologists also attended the event.
Experts spoke on special cares for pregnant and breasfeeding women including physical & mental care, medications and food supplements.