Unnecessary C-sections come under scrutiny in Anhui province

The health authority in Anhui province has issued China's first provincial guide-line for cesarean sections, aimed at bringing down the excessively high level of such procedures in the province.

The guideline listed 14 types of medical requirements for a C-section, such as fetal distress (for lack of oxygen, for example) or abnormality of the birth canal.

The guideline was issued to all medical institutions in the province in July, according to Wang Hai, chief of maternal health at the Anhui provincial Bureau of Health and Family Planning.