Becoming a father to two beautiful children has naturally been a profound experience. Both were born through cesarean sections on my lovely wife. During that period, my professional interactions with the healthcare system opened my eyes to an alarming discrepancy: Greece’s cesarean rates are not only exceedingly high but they are the second-highest in the world, trailing closely behind only Turkey. For me, this situation demands urgent attention and action for the wellbeing of Greek mothers and their babies.

In 2021, Greece's cesarean rate peaked at a staggering 55.8%, a figure that remains predominantly stable above 50%. Historically, our country adhered more closely to the World Health Organization's recommendations, which suggest a cesarean section rate of 15-20%. For context, in 1983, our rate was 14%. Yet, it has skyrocketed over the decades, reaching 30% by 2000 and then escalating to 55% by 2021. Despite these interventions, Greece performs worse in both maternal and infant mortality compared to countries with lower cesarean rates. For instance, in Nordic countries, maternal mortality outcomes are 3x lower than Greece.

From this standpoint, the current situation seems to represent a clear case of medical overuse that offers no societal or health benefits. It entails unnecessary costs for both the healthcare system and the parents, as well as risks, without improving the lives of mothers and babies in Greece. Therefore, this petition seeks to realign Greece’s healthcare practices with evidence-based guidelines, ensuring the health of mothers and infants is prioritized over unnecessary surgical interventions and any associated interests or benefits.

Evidence from the WHO highlights that cesarean sections should be utilized when medically necessary to enhance survival and health outcomes. Excessive reliance on this surgical procedure not only threatens maternal and infant health but also places an undue financial burden on families and the healthcare system alike.

At the same time, Greece is suffering from a low fertility rate; 1.32 children per woman in 2024, bottom 5 in EU and 17th lowest globally. This is causing a rapidly aging population and a demographic challenge which poses a threat to the country's sustainability in the years to follow.

By advocating for a reduction in the nationwide cesarean rate, we aim to return to WHO-recommended levels, ensuring that every childbirth case is assessed individually and that cesarean sections are reserved for genuine medical necessities. To achieve this target, it will be vital to re-align medical clinics and professionals towards healthier practices. Moreover, it will be critical to raise awareness among expectant parents about the potential risks and alternatives. In addition, it might be crucial to educate parents on the significant benefits of normal, natural childbirth for the mother and her infant.

The future health of our society hinges on the well-being of its mothers and newborns. It's imperative to restore our healthcare practices to standards that truly reflect the best interest of our citizens. You may join in this crucial mission, and help bring about meaningful change. If you wish, you can sign the petition to advocate for healthier childbirth practices in Greece.

Data sources: who.int, oecd.or,, statista.com, hjog.org, nih.gov, worldpopulationreview.com, cia.gov, cnn.com, worldbank.org, unicef.org, macrotrends.net, wikipedia.org