Only Three C-Sections Medically Safe for Women, Four to Five Extremely Dangerous: Sindh Health Minister
KARACHI – According to international standards, only three C-section operations are considered safe for a woman, yet in Pakistan, women are undergoing four to five C-sections, warned Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho.
Speaking at the 40th meeting of the Country Engagement Working Group (CEWG), organized in collaboration with the Population Program Wing of the Federal Ministry of Health and UNFPA, the minister highlighted the severe health risks associated with multiple C-sections.
Dr. Pechuho explained that excessive C-section operations often lead to the removal of the uterus in some women, which subsequently increases the risk of fistulas and other diseases. She advised that it is better for a woman to undergo sterilization after her third delivery.
The Sindh Health Minister emphasized that family planning is not solely women’s responsibility, and men must also play a key role. She revealed that last year, the Sindh Population Welfare Department sterilized over 5,000 men who had already completed their families.
She further informed that separate rooms have been established in major hospitals where male mobilizers will educate men visiting gynecology and RHS centers about the need for contraception.
Federal Secretary of Health Muhammad Aslam Ghori stated that the National Strategic Plan provides a comprehensive framework to address population-related challenges. DG Population Planning Wing Shabana Saleem noted that the ECR system launched in Sindh has now been adopted by other provinces as well.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Pakistan’s first official AI call assistant — developed by the Sindh Population Welfare Department — was praised. The assistant provides information about family planning and contraceptive methods in various local and international languages.
