Odisha Govt Brings Private Hospitals Under Audit Of C-Section Deliveries

Bhubaneswar: In a significant step towards the maternal and child health care, the Odisha Government has expanded Caesarean Section (C-Section) audit of delivery cases to all private hospitals in the state.

In an official order issued on Thursday, Director, Family Welfare has told the Chief District Medical and Public Health Officers of all districts and urban bodies to ensure implementation of the audit in their respective areas from May 1.

As per official data, there was a sharp increase in caesarean deliveries between National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-4 of 2015-16 and NFHS-5 of 2019-21. During this period, C-Section increased from 53.7% to 70.7% which was higher than the ideal C-Section rate recommended by WHO panel of reproductive child health.

After re-examining the C-Section Rate in 2015, the panel said, “At population level, caesarean section rates higher than 10% are not associated with reductions in maternal and newborn mortality rates.” This indicated the need for addressing the cause of C-Section rise in the State.

In view of this need, the government expanded C-Section audit system, which was in practice in government health facilities, to all private health facilities as well.

For the purpose, three different prototype audit formats have been worked out, and circulated to all districts. At first level, the audit would be done as per specifications in Format-A which would be compiled in Format-B. The CDMPHOs after due scrutiny would submit the report to the Directorate in Format-C.

Each CDMPHO has been asked to designate a programme officer for coordinating with private health facilities regarding implementation of the C-Section audit.