Health Minister Zahid Maleque yesterday said caesarean sections are being performed at private clinics and hospitals unnecessarily when patients seek childbirth assistance.

Due to the negative role of private clinics and hospitals, the C-section rate is not coming down, said the minister while addressing an event marking World Population Day 2023.

"Once an expecting patient is taken to private clinics and hospitals, they perform C-sections. However, the procedure is unnecessary most of the time. All should be aware of this," he stressed.

The minister stated that the current rate of C-sections in private hospitals around the country is 70 percent.

A recent study by Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics said the overall rate was 41.4 percent countrywide in 2022.

The minister also urged patients to opt for institutional delivery (delivery in a hospital) to prevent avoidable maternal deaths.

"A large number of deliveries in rural areas are still assisted by midwives who are not trained. As a result, the number of maternal deaths has not reached zero yet," he said.

In 2022, the maternal mortality rate was 156 per one lakh births, according to Bangladesh Sample Vital Statistics published by BBS.

Informing that the government has already launched a 24/7 delivery assistance service in public hospitals, the minister said, "We hope this will help increase the number of institutional deliveries."

"Bangladesh is going to be a middle-income country since we have a [big] population as an asset. Ensuring education, health, and employment for the young population is urgent."

The minister also highlighted the importance of preventing early marriage and ensuring women's empowerment in the country.