The rate of normal birth delivery in the country is 69 percent, while the rate of cesarean delivery is 39 percent, Health Minister Zahid Maleque told parliament on Monday.

He said this replying to a scripted question from Jatiya Party's Rustum Ali Faraji MP.

The minister said an action plan titled “Promotion of Normal Vaginal Delivery, Prevention of Unnecessary Cesarean Section and Creating Awareness about Necessity and Justification of Cesarean Section" is under implementation” in order to increase the rate of normal delivery and reduce the caesarean section births. 

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The action plan includes strengthening of regulatory framework, strengthening health management, capacity building of service providers through various trainings, and ensuring quality in and of delivery services.The  posting of doctors at district and upazila levels, ensuring round-the-clock emergency and maternity services through providing necessary equipment, he said, in fact improving. 

The minister said the action plan also includes strengthening of services and deputation of midwives at the district upazila level, campaign activities to ensure at least four antenatal services, through which pregnant mothers are informed about the positive aspects of normal delivery and unnecessary caesarean sections.

To ensure antenatal care for expectant mothers, house-to-house mother gatherings are being held with dignitaries of society routinely .

In addition, various monitoring activities are underway to increase social security programs and reduce caesarean section rates, the minister added.