PRAYAGRAJ, Nov. 19 -- Women in rural areas of the Prayagraj division now have safer childbirth options, shows latest data registering a remarkable surge in caesarean deliveries. Between April and October 2025, the division conducted 1,569 C-sections, an increase of 552 procedures compared to the same period last year. Health officials say the rise reflects improved access to maternal healthcare in remote areas, achieved through a combination of infrastructure upgrades, deployment of women doctors, and online consultation services. "Community Health Centers (CHCs) functioning as First Referral Units under the Janani Suraksha Yojana now provide essential services for safe deliveries," said Harit Saxena, divisional project manager of the National Health Mission. "In Prayagraj Division, 19 CHCs have been equipped to handle surgical deliveries efficiently." The breakdown of C-sections in the division for 2025-26 is: Prayagraj district- 689, Pratapgarh- 428, Kaushambi- 285 and Fatehpur- 167. Officials highlight that these measures not only raise the number of C-sections but also improve maternal and child health outcomes, with the division's C-section rate currently at 8-9%, still below the WHO's recommended 10-15% threshold, indicating room for continued improvement. "This performance shows that with focused interventions, safe childbirth can be made accessible to every woman, even in the most remote areas," Saxena added....