It is no secret that a lot of C-sections done in hospitals for baby births are driven by the commercial interests of hospitals/doctors. A LiveMint report says that C-sections in India are on the rise, with India's rate jumping from 17.2% to 21.5% in recent years.
Proof that a very good chunk of C-sections are unnecessary is brought out by the disparity in C-section rates across Indian states, the article says. "Telangana records a high of 60.7%, while Nagaland has only 5.2%. Such variations suggest non-medical factors at play, potentially compromising women's autonomy," write columnists Aditya Sinha and Akanksha Saini.
This goes to show that Telangana is one of the most insurance-intensive states in the country. Those with the benefit of medical insurance don't mind opting for C-sections.
C-section procedures are expensive. "They are estimated to add Rs 5,000 crore annually to India's healthcare expenses," the columnists say.
