Parliament Question: Measures to reduce C-section Delivery Rates

GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 3391 TOBE ANSWERED ON 7TH AUGUST2026 MEASURESTOREDUCEC-SECTION DELIVERYRATES †3391.SHRIBHAUSAHEBRAJARAM WAKCHAURE: Will the MINISTER OFHEALTHAND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleased tostate: (a) whether the Government is aware of the scientific research and outcomes of 10,000 successful deliveries using the ‘Evidence-based Upright Indian Birthing Positions’ developed by Dr. Prabodh Joshi from the Shirdi Parliamentary Constituency in Ahilyanagar District of Maharashtra, if so, the detailsthereof; (b) whether this research has proven effective in reducing cesarean (C-section) delivery rates andimprovingmaternal andchildhealthoutcomes, if so, the detailsthereof; (c) whether the Government plans to replicate and implement this model across Primary HealthCentres(PHCs) inrural areas of the country; (d) whether financial assistance is likely to be provided for training and the publication of literature todisseminate thisresearch andif so, the detailsthereof; and (e) whether the Government proposes to integrate this methodology into the national policy for ‘Safe Motherhood’SurakshitMatritva and if so, the detailsthereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYAPATEL) (a) to (e) As per the information received from the state of Maharashtra, the District Health administration, Ahilyanagar has not received any official information regarding the development of evidence-based upright Indian birthing positions by a practicing doctor in Shirdi parliamentary constituency. The District Health administration has not conducted or received any evaluation report assessing the reduction in c-section delivery rates or improvementinmaternal andneonatalhealthoutcomes. However, the Government of India has already circulated the “Guidelines on Operationalization of Midwifery Units” toallStates/UTs, for the establishment of Midwifery- Led Care Units (MLCUs). These units promote physiological childbirth byoffering women a choice of scientifically validated, evidence-based alternative birthing positions and are expectedtocontribute towards reducingunnecessary caesareansections. Further, under the National Health Mission (NHM), financial support is being provided to States/UTs for the establishment and operationalization of such Midwifery-Led Care Units, based on the proposals received by the respective State/UTs Programme Implementation Plans(PIPs). ******