Minister Dr G Parameshwara orders shutdown of hospitals over C-sections

Tumakuru: District In-charge Minister Dr. G Parameshwara has directed the immediate shutdown of private hospitals in Tumakuru district that are allegedly conducting unnecessary cesarean (C-section) deliveries for profit. The directive is intended to protect the health and financial stability of economically vulnerable families.

Speaking at the KDP (Karnataka Development Programme) progress review meeting held at the Zilla Panchayat office on Tuesday, Parameshwara came down heavily on the Health Department for its lack of concrete measures in addressing the issue. He expressed outrage over startling statistics that show private hospitals in Tumakuru conducting over 80% of deliveries through C-section, while government hospitals report a similarly troubling rate of 58%, well above national health standards.

As per the news reports, the minister questioned the officials about the lack of action, pointing out that Tumakuru had recorded the highest number of C-sections in the state.

Parameshwara pointed to reports indicating that some private hospitals are charging up to ₹1.5 lakh per C-section, particularly from economically weaker sections. He dismissed their explanations and demanded to know what steps had been taken to stop the exploitation of the poor, and how many hospitals had been shut down as a result.