U.N. Lauds India’s Progress in Child Mortality Reduction

The United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) has recognized India as one of five “exemplar countries” for its efforts in reducing child mortality.

Findings of the UN IGME Report

• Exemplars: The report highlights that India, Nepal, Senegal, Ghana, and Burundi have implemented effective strategies to accelerate progress in reducing preventable child deaths.
• Global Trend: Child deaths dropped to 4.8 million in 2023, and stillbirths declined to 1.9 million globally.
• India’s Child Mortality Reduction: Since 2000, India has reduced under-five mortality by 70% and neonatal mortality by 61%.

Reasons for India’s Good Performance in Child Mortality Reduction

• Health System Strengthening: Investments in infrastructure, skilled healthcare workers, and digital surveillance have contributed to improvements.
  • For example Ayushman Bharat, the world’s largest health insurance scheme provides annual coverage of nearly $5,500 (5 lakh INR) per family.
• Maternal and Child Healthcare: Free delivery, infant care, medications, transport, and diagnostics are ensured in public health institutions.
• Expanded Immunization: India increased measles vaccination coverage from 56% in 2000 to 93% in 2023, reducing measles-related child deaths by 97%.

About Child Mortality

• Definition: Child mortality refers to the death of children under five years of age.
  • As per WHO, the mortality rate of children aged under 5 years is the probability that a child born in a specific year or period will die before reaching the age of 5 years, subject to the age-specific mortality rates of that period.
• Major Causes of Child Mortality
  • Preterm Birth Complications: Leading cause in India.
  • Pneumonia and Diarrhea: Significant contributors to child mortality.
  • Malnutrition: Weakens immunity, increasing vulnerability.
  • Lack of Healthcare Access : Rural and tribal areas face challenges in healthcare delivery.

Government Initiatives to Reduce Child Mortality

• Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY): A conditional cash transfer scheme to promote institutional deliveries. It encourages safe childbirth by providing financial incentives to pregnant women.
• Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK): It offers free and cashless delivery services in public hospitals, including caesarean sections.It also ensures free drugs, diagnostics, diet, transportation, and blood transfusion for pregnant women and sick infants.
• Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA): It provides free antenatal checkups by specialists on the 9th day of every month.It helps in  identifying and monitoring  high-risk pregnancies for safe delivery.
• Universal Immunization Programme (UIP): It covers 11 vaccines to protect children against 12 preventable diseases such as measles, polio, and rotavirus vaccination for child survival.
• Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK): It screens children (0-18 years) for 32 health conditions related to diseases, deficiencies, defects, and developmental delays. It also establishes District Early Intervention Centres (DEICs) for managing identified health issues.
• Addressing Malnutrition:Schemes like  Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), POSHAN Abhiyaan and POSHAN 2.0  addresses nutritional deficiencies improving the Children health in initial years of growth.

Conclusion

India’s commitment to evidence-based health strategies, expanded immunization, and improved maternal and child care has significantly reduced child mortality. Continued investment and governance are crucial to sustaining progress and ensuring a healthier future for children.