Egypt is facing a defining moment in maternal healthcare as C-section rates hit a staggering 72%—one of the highest figures globally. The Malath Foundation for Women Support is calling for an urgent shift in how the nation views childbirth, moving away from over-medicalization and back toward empowered, informed reproductive choices.
Radwa El-Khouly, Executive Director of Malath, emphasizes that the C-section, once a life-saving exception, has increasingly become a default setting in Egyptian hospitals. “This is no longer just a clinical decision,” El-Khouly stated. “It has evolved into a public health crisis that places unnecessary physical, psychological, and financial burdens on women and their families.”
The foundation points to several interconnected causes: a growing fear of natural birth fueled by social media misinformation, a lack of comprehensive prenatal support, and institutional incentives within the private sector that favor scheduled surgeries over the unpredictable nature of natural labor. These unnecessary interventions carry significant risks, including higher chances of post-operative infection, hemorrhaging, and longer recovery periods.
In response, Malath is welcoming recent Ministry of Health efforts but is pushing for more aggressive reforms. The foundation is calling for a national strategy that includes stricter oversight of private healthcare facilities, specialized psychological training for medical staff, and transparent data publishing on delivery trends across governorates.
Ultimately, Malath’s vision is a healthcare system that treats women with dignity and transparency. Protecting reproductive rights means ensuring that every mother has the support, the evidence, and the safe environment she needs to choose the birth path that is truly best for her and her child.
