Around 450,000 Women Die Annually During Childbirth in Pakistan: Prof. Dr. Sher Shah Syed

Karachi (INP): Renowned gynecologist Prof. Dr. Sher Shah Syed has expressed grave concern over the alarming number of maternal deaths in Pakistan, stating that approximately 450,000 women die every year during childbirth. He termed the situation deeply troubling and stressed that the country urgently needs around 350,000 trained midwives to ensure safe and smooth deliveries for women.
He was speaking at a seminar titled “Rising Trend of Cesarean Sections During Childbirth: Causes, Reasons and Solutions” organized by the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi’s Media and Social Welfare Committee on Saturday. Prof. Dr. Sher Shah Syed also responded to questions from the audience during the session.
The seminar was hosted by Committee Secretary Dr. S.M. Qaiser Sajjad, while Prof. Shabeen Naz Masood, Prof. Sonia Naqvi, and Dr. Bushra Mohsin also shared their views.
Prof. Sher Shah Syed said that the rate of cesarean deliveries has increased to dangerous levels, making it imperative to curb this trend. He pointed out that many maternity homes and hospitals are performing unnecessary operations despite lacking properly trained gynecologists and adequate medical staff. He emphasized that cesarean sections should only be performed by qualified gynecologists and only when medically required.
He questioned why surgery becomes necessary during childbirth and highlighted that, driven by financial greed, pregnant women are often subjected to up to 15 ultrasound scans, solely to extract money. He added that with proper attention and care, most deliveries can be conducted normally without surgery. Criticizing the medical education system, he said it has severely damaged the healthcare sector, producing incompetent doctors who are playing with human lives.
Dr. S.M. Qaiser Sajjad said that it is the responsibility of the Sindh Healthcare Commission to take strict action against maternity homes and hospitals that have turned cesarean operations into a business. He alleged that women are often forced into surgeries by falsely declaring emergency situations and made to believe that both mother and child are at serious risk if an immediate operation is not performed.
Prof. Sonia Naqvi stated that 76 percent of births in the country are now taking place through cesarean sections, while even in institutions like Islamabad’s Poly Clinic, 55 percent of births are surgical.
Dr. Shabeen Naz said that X-rays during pregnancy should be strictly avoided, as many hospitals and maternity homes conduct them merely to inflate medical bills. She stressed the importance of consulting qualified doctors and discouraging home deliveries. She added that surgery should only be carried out in extreme necessity.
Dr. Bushra Mohsin emphasized the need to control the rising trend of unnecessary operations, stating that society must move away from expediency and confront the harsh realities. She warned that many inexperienced doctors are performing surgeries despite lacking proper expertise.
At the end of the seminar, Dr. Qaiser Sajjad presented bouquets to the participants.