It is upsetting to see reports of 1.7 million C-sections in Bangladesh having been carried out without medical necessity last year, as revealed during a recent program on the issue.

While Bangladesh is no stranger to this practice, the scale at which it is being performed is alarming to say the least, and exposes a serious disregard for women’s health in the healthcare system.

C-section deliveries are meant to be life-saving interventions, reserved for situations where complications reject the natural alternative. It is also widely understood that these are surgical approaches that place both mothers and newborns at risk, if used without urgency.

Longer recovery times, higher chances of infection, complications in future pregnancies, and avoidable financial burdens are just some of the consequences that mothers are faced with, while infants may be deprived of critical early health benefits associated with natural delivery.

It is a matter of great frustration, therefore, that our healthcare system refuses to acknowledge these very real threats at the expense of our women and children.

These figures point to systemic shortcomings: Weak regulations, inconsistent clinical standards, and commercial incentives have all contributed to a culture where surgery is too often treated as the standard.

Women are also denied transparency with delivery plans and the chance to make appropriate choices for their own betterment -- further solidifying this as an unethical act that cannot be allowed to go on.

With the country approaching its national election, it is imperative that the next government pay this issue appropriate regard. Any future leader must enforce ethical medical practices across private and public facilities, and invest in training that prioritizes patient safety over profit or convenience.

Ending the widespread misuse of C-sections is an essential step toward restoring trust and safety in Bangladesh’s healthcare system -- a feat that is long overdue. Protecting mothers and children is non-negotiable.