THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:An audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) for assessing the National Health Mission (NHM) interventions in maternal and child health, family planning and immunisation in Kerala has found grave lapses in fund allocation by the state, antenatal care for pregnant women in addition to a sharp rise in caesarian deliveries.
In its report on general and social sectors for the year ended March 2017, the CAG, citing Directorate of Health Services data, observed 40 to 42 per cent of deliveries in the state during 2012-17 were Caesarian (C-section) deliveries. This, when the national average stood at 17.2 per cent! Audit also noted an increase in the percentage of C-sections in nine out of 15 institutions that came under scrutiny.
‘’During the exit conference, the government accepted the state average of C-section deliveries was high compared to the national average and admitted it was a shameful situation. The government also admitted its failure in bringing down the percentage of C-section in spite of concerted efforts,’’ CAG noted.