44% of births in Lebanon are caesarean against only 15% globally

Global figures suggest that caesarean deliveries are only carried out when it is medically necessary to facilitate a difficult birth. However, in Lebanon they have become normal practices. Surveys conducted in the past ten years have shown a considerable rise in the level of caesarian births, and is now estimated by the Health Ministry, to have reached 44% of total births. This figure is alarming high particularly when compared to 15% which is the acceptable rate set by World Health Organization. According to WHO, a figure higher then the world average indicates a level which surpasses medical needs while a level below 5% signals a deficiently in medical care and constitutes a threat to the mother’s life. Furthermore, international studies have indicated that unnecessary caesarean deliveries have proven to have negative effects on both mother nd child health. (Al Diyar, 8 April 2015)