The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has expressed concerns regarding the notable increase in cesarean section (C-section) deliveries in the country.
According to the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS), one in five births now occurs through C-section, surpassing the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended benchmark of 15%. The national rate stands at 21%, raising apprehensions about potential overuse and associated health risks.
The GDHS data underscores that one out of every five women delivers through C-section, signaling a significant deviation from recommended standards and prompting worries about overuse and its potential health implications.
Efforts to address this issue may involve targeted interventions, including improved maternal education on delivery options and enhanced training for healthcare providers to ensure appropriateness in decision-making.
Deputy Director of Reproductive & Child Health at GHS, Dr. Chris Opoku Fofie, emphasized the importance of ensuring that C-sections are administered to those who genuinely need them, rather than being employed as a universal remedy for all women.
Conducted since 1998, the GDHS is led by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the GHS, and other stakeholders.
The survey aims to provide valuable information for program managers and policymakers to evaluate and enhance existing health programs.
The latest survey was conducted between October 17, 2022, and January 14, 2023, and included a nationally representative sample of women and men aged 15 to 49 years and 15 to 59 years, respectively.