A Systematic Review of Government-Led Free Caesarean Section Policies in Low- and Middle-Income Countries from 2009 to 2025.

ABSTRACT: Background: Caesarean section (CS) is a critical intervention, yet stark inequities in access persist across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Over the last decade, governments have introduced policies to eliminate or subsidize user fees; however, the collective impact of these initiatives on utilization, equity, and financial protection has not been fully synthesized. Methods: We conducted a systematic review in line with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Searches were conducted in PubMed, Dimensions, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, and government portals for studies published between 1 January 2009 and 30 May 2025. Eligible studies evaluated government-initiated financing reforms, including full user-fee exemptions, partial subsidies, vouchers, insurance schemes, and

SUBMITTER: Adepoju VA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12524749 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature