Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has recorded the highest cesarean delivery (C-section) rate in India, with 41% of births being conducted through surgical procedures. This rate significantly exceeds the national average of 21.5%, according to data from the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019–2021), which was further analyzed by The Lancet.
The C-section rate in J&K places it near southern states like Telangana and Tamil Nadu, regions often associated with higher cesarean rates due to factors like over-medicalization and a strong reliance on private healthcare. Experts suggest that private healthcare facilities, with financial incentives tied to C-sections, contribute significantly to the high rate of surgical births.
A key factor driving the trend in J&K is the limited availability of round-the-clock maternity services. The absence of consistent, 24/7 access to healthcare professionals and the unpredictability of natural labor lead many women and their families to opt for scheduled caesarean deliveries. For many, this choice is seen as a safer alternative to the potential risks and uncertainties associated with vaginal delivery.
Medical professionals have raised concerns about the long-term impact of this growing trend. While C-sections can be life-saving in high-risk pregnancies, an excessive reliance on them poses health risks to both mothers and infants, including longer recovery times and higher chances of complications in subsequent pregnancies.
Health authorities and experts emphasize the need for greater awareness, the promotion of natural births, and the strengthening of public healthcare systems to ensure round-the-clock maternity support. Addressing this issue would require not only better healthcare infrastructure but also changes in cultural perceptions around childbirth and delivery methods.
J&K’s position at the top of India’s C-section delivery rate list highlights the complexities of maternal healthcare in the region. Reducing these rates will require a multi-faceted approach involving policy reform, healthcare investment, and community education to ensure that childbirth remains a safe and informed experience for all women.
