Cesarean Section Safety and Quality in Low-Resource Settings

On 27-28 July, 2017, the Fistula Care Plus Project and the Maternal Health Task Force co-convened a technical consultation to explore critical issues related to the safety and quality of cesarean sections provided in low-resource settings.

Although the volume of cesarean sections in low- and middle-income countries has increased steadily in recent years, it is clear that many of these procedures are being provided in settings where minimum standards of safety and quality are not achieved. Numerous factors including inadequate surgical infrastructure and clinician training may contribute to this problem. Interestingly, recent health services research suggests that both underuse and overuse of cesarean sections now co-exist in the same countries, underlining the need to address both important issues. The potential impact of universal access to essential obstetric surgery is enormous, yet surgery to prevent and manage maternal and newborn complications may currently be contributing to preventable, iatrogenic morbidity.

At this meeting, participants identified priority agenda items that involve the maternal health, newborn health and global safe surgery communities—all significant actors whose investment in this issue will be critical.

Meeting Overview

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Meeting Report

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Presentations

Click here to view PDFs of the presentations from this meeting.