West Bengal's reported Caesarean section rate of 44.5% has raised concerns about childbirth practices and access to appropriate maternal healthcare. The figure is substantially higher than the reported national average of 27.2%, highlighting the need to examine why surgical deliveries are so common in the state.
According to the figures provided in the report, West Bengal's Caesarean section rate has nearly doubled since 2015–16. Private healthcare facilities account for approximately three in 10 births in the state but perform nearly six in 10 Caesarean operations.
A Caesarean section, commonly known as a C-section, can be essential when complications threaten the health of the mother or baby. However, it is major abdominal surgery and can involve risks such as infection, bleeding and a longer recovery period.
The issue has drawn attention in West Bengal for years. On September 29, 2015, the state Health Department reportedly circulated a memorandum to medical college principals and district chief medical officers following concerns raised by the Union Health Ministry about rising Caesarean rates, particularly when procedures were not medically necessary.
The memorandum included guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) and recommended periodic audits of Caesarean deliveries in both public and private facilities. Such reviews can help health authorities understand whether surgical births are supported by appropriate medical indications.
The difference between public and private facility figures also raises questions about clinical practices, patient preferences, referral patterns and access to emergency obstetric care. However, the overall rate alone cannot establish how many operations were unnecessary.
Health experts generally emphasise that decisions about delivery methods should be based on individual clinical circumstances. Transparent reporting, medical audits and consistent monitoring could help identify unwarranted variations while ensuring that women who need Caesarean deliveries receive timely treatment.

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