Pakistan’s Maternal Mortality Crisis Deepens as Doctors Decry Rise in Unnecessary C-Sections
A surge in cesarean sections driven by financial incentives and inadequate healthcare standards is contributing to the deaths of over 20,000 women annually in Pakistan, raising serious concerns among medical professionals.
Karachi – A growing number of unnecessary cesarean sections in Pakistan are jeopardizing the lives of mothers and newborns, according to leading gynecologists who convened at a seminar hosted by the Medical and Social Welfare Committee of the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi. Experts warn that a confluence of factors – including profit-driven practices, a shortage of qualified healthcare providers, and lax regulatory oversight – is fueling a dangerous trend.
The seminar, titled “The Rising Trend of Cesarean Sections in Pakistan: Causes, Reasons and Solutions,” brought together prominent medical voices to address the escalating crisis. Renowned gynecologist Professor Dr. Sher Shah Syed opened the discussion, questioning the increasing reliance on surgical births. “Was a woman created only to have her abdomen cut?” he asked, highlighting the fundamental issue at hand.
The statistics are stark. According to Dr. Syed, more than 20,000 women die each year in Pakistan due to complications during childbirth – a figure he described as a “shameful reality” for any modern society. He asserted that C-sections have become increasingly financially motivated, leading to their overuse. “The first normal delivery may be difficult, but the second and third usually become easier,” he explained. “In contrast, the first C-section may be easy, but subsequent ones become more dangerous.”
The problem is compounded by a lack of qualified personnel, with reports of inexperienced doctors performing as many as 10-12 surgeries a day in some areas. This raises serious questions about patient safety and the quality of care. Furthermore, Dr. Syed emphasized the detrimental impact of separating newborns from their mothers immediately after a C-section, noting that a mother’s embrace is crucial for a child’s developing immunity. He pointed to the success of midwife-led normal deliveries in countries like the US, Denmark, and Norway, advocating for a C-section rate in Pakistan that does not exceed 10 percent.
Professor Dr. Shabina Naz Masood echoed these concerns, noting that the proliferation of modern medical technology has also contributed to the rise in C-sections. She also observed that doctors’ attitudes can sometimes inadvertently push patients toward surgical deliveries, and that unnecessary tests can lead to unwarranted C-sections. Dr. Masood strongly cautioned against the dangers of quackery and home deliveries conducted by untrained midwives, stressing the critical need for well-equipped hospitals with comprehensive monitoring capabilities. She also criticized the practice of tying hospital revenue to the number of C-sections performed.
Professor Dr. Sonia Naqvi highlighted the alarming presence of unqualified individuals operating as gynecologists, preying on vulnerable patients. “Pregnancy is not a disease,” she stated, emphasizing that unnecessary fear is often manufactured to coerce women into undergoing C-sections. She also condemned doctors who, citing time constraints, pressure patients into opting for surgical births, calling it a “grave injustice.”
Dr. Bushra Mohsin acknowledged that while doctors strive to prioritize normal deliveries, complications sometimes necessitate surgical intervention. However, she also revealed a disturbing trend: gynecologists are increasingly facing threats of violence and vandalism from patients’ families, which can influence their decision-making and lead to a preference for C-sections as a means of mitigating risk.
The speakers were united in their call for comprehensive reforms. They urged for stricter regulation of the healthcare system, increased public awareness regarding the risks and benefits of different delivery methods, and a renewed commitment to ethical medical practices. The ultimate goal, they agreed, is to ensure safer childbirth for women across Pakistan and reduce the devastating toll of maternal mortality.
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