What Is The Latest Data On Child Mortality Says
The latest data on child mortality in India, as presented in the Rajya Sabha, indicates a steady decline in under-five mortality rates over the past five years. According to the Sample Registration System (SRS) 2020 report by the Registrar General of India, the national Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) has dropped to 32 per 1,000 live births. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) have credited this progress to various national health initiatives and state-level interventions aimed at improving child survival.
Women and Child Development Minister of State Savitri Thakur responding to a question asked by Rajya Sabha member AA Rahim last week.
Declining Child Mortality Across States
State-wise data highlights significant improvements in reducing child mortality, with several states showing remarkable progress. Kerala recorded the lowest under-five mortality rate at just 8 per 1,000 live births, followed by Tamil Nadu (13), Maharashtra (18), and Delhi (14). On the other hand, states such as Madhya Pradesh (51), Uttar Pradesh (43), and Chhattisgarh (41) continue to report relatively higher mortality rates, although these numbers have also shown a declining trend.
Notably, Bihar reduced its under-five mortality rate from 43 in 2016 to 30 in 2020, while Gujarat saw a drop from 33 to 24 in the same period. Similarly, Karnataka reduced its mortality rate from 29 to 21, and Telangana brought it down from 34 to 23. These improvements can be attributed to targeted interventions, improved maternal healthcare, and enhanced nutrition programs.
Factors Behind Successful Reduction in Mortality Rates
Several key factors have contributed to the reduction in child mortality rates across India. The government has implemented a multi-faceted approach under the National Health Mission (NHM) and Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) strategy.
1. Strengthening Newborn and Child Healthcare Facilities: The government has established Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs) and Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) at medical colleges and district hospitals. Additionally, Newborn Stabilization Units (NBSUs) at Community Health Centres (CHCs) have provided essential care for sick and preterm infants.
2. Home-Based Care and Community Support: Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) play a crucial role in home visits under the Home-Based Newborn Care (HBNC) and Home-Based Care of Young Children (HBYC) programs. These visits focus on promoting child-rearing practices, early detection of illness, and timely referrals.
3. Nutrition and Maternal Health Programs: Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 have contributed significantly to improving child nutrition and maternal health. These initiatives focus on providing supplementary nutrition to children under six, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. Under this scheme, fortified rice is being supplied to Anganwadi Centres to address micronutrient deficiencies and anaemia.
4. Prevention of Common Childhood Diseases: The government has launched various initiatives to curb childhood diseases, including the Social Awareness and Actions to Neutralize Pneumonia Successfully (SAANS) campaign to combat pneumonia and the STOP Diarrhoea initiative to promote Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) and zinc supplementation. Additionally, the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) screens children for 32 health conditions, ensuring early intervention and management.
5. Immunisation and Anaemia Reduction Efforts: The Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) programme is actively working to reduce anaemia among children and women by providing iron supplementation. Under the National Deworming Day (NDD), albendazole tablets are distributed twice a year to prevent worm infestations among children and adolescents.
Adoption of Best Practices Across States
While some states have made commendable progress, the central government is keen on adopting successful models from well-performing regions to enhance child survival rates nationwide. States like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra have demonstrated effective implementation of maternal and child health programs, and their strategies could serve as models for other states struggling with higher mortality rates.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare have introduced the Community Management of Malnutrition (CMAM) protocol to prevent and treat severe acute malnutrition in children. Regular community-based events (CBEs) at Anganwadi Centres focus on promoting nutritional awareness and healthy dietary practices.
