How India Reduced Child Mortality Rate: In the last decade, India has achieved such achievements in the field of child health, which are now being discussed all over the world. According to the recently released UN Inter-Agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation 2025 report, there has been a 41 percent decline in the mortality rate of children under five years of age in India between 2014 and 2024. At the same time, the newborn mortality rate has declined by 37 percent. The special thing is that this achievement is much better than the global average, where in the same period there was a decrease of 18 percent in child mortality rate and 15 percent decrease in neonatal mortality rate.
What is the reason behind this success?
Experts believe that this success is not the result of any one scheme, but of continuously strengthened health services for mothers and children. India has given priority to health care from pregnancy to the early years of the child in the last few years. According to the recently released NFHS-6 (2023-24) report, 76.2 percent women received antenatal care in the first trimester of pregnancy itself. At the same time, the number of institutional deliveries has increased to 90.6 percent, which was earlier 88.6 percent. Similarly, deliveries under the supervision of trained health workers have also increased from 89.4 percent to 91.3 percent.
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Considerable improvement in care noted?
The time immediately after birth is considered the most sensitive for children. Keeping this in mind, India has expanded health facilities on a large scale for the care of newborn babies. More than 1,100 special newborn care units and neonatal intensive care units have been established across the country. Along with them, 2,868 Newborn Stabilization Units are also working, which provide specialized care to more than 15 lakh sick and weak newborns every year.
Vaccination also plays a role
Vaccination has also been a major reason for the improvement in the health of children. According to NFHS-6, full vaccination coverage among children aged 12 to 23 months has increased from 76.6 percent to 82.6 percent. A tremendous jump has been seen in rotavirus vaccine coverage, which increased from 36.4 percent to 85.4 percent. India has also made significant progress in the field of nutrition. The problem of stunting i.e. low height for age in children under five years of age has reduced from 35.5 percent to 29.3 percent. At the same time, the rate of severe malnutrition has also decreased from 7.7 percent to 5.5 percent.
Lives of millions of children can be saved
Former Member (Health and Nutrition), NITI Aayog Dr. Vinod K. Paul believes that this achievement of India is not just a national success, but has become an example for the developing countries of the world. He says that strong health system, role of frontline health workers and better use of technology have given great success to India in reducing child mortality rate. This achievement of India shows that with the right policies and sustained efforts, the lives of millions of children can be saved and better health can be given to future generations.
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Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.
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