Child Mortality in India

According to the Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report, 2020 released in September 2022, India’s Under-5 Mortality Rate stood at 32 while Infant and Neonatal Mortality Rates were 28 and 20 respectively.

  • Child Mortality is the death (mortality) of children under 5 years of age.
  • Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) refers to the probability of dying between birth and exactly 1 year of age, expressed per 1,000 live births.
  • Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) refers to the probability of dying during the first 28 days of life, expressed per 1,000 live births.

Reasons for high Child Mortality in India

  • Poor Infrastructure
  • Poor Nutrition
  • Lack of Skilled Personnel
  • Education and Awareness Deficit amongst Women
  • Child Marriage

Government Initiatives

  • National Rural Health Mission: The launch of facility-based newborn care under the National Rural Health Mission has created Newborn Baby Care Corners at every point of childbirth, Newborn Stabilisation Units at First Referral Units (Community Health Centres) and Special Newborn Care Units at District Hospitals across the country.
  • The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme: The beneficiaries under the Scheme are children in the age group of 0-6 years, pregnant women and lactating mothers.
  • Capacity Building of Health Care Providers: Various trainings are being conducted under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) to train doctors, nurses and ANM for early diagnosis and case management of common ailments of children.
  • These trainings are being carried out under the Integrated Management of Neonatal and Child Illness, Navjat Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (NSSK), etc.
  • Management of Malnutrition: Malnutrition reduces resistance of children to infections thus increasing mortality and morbidity among children.
  • Nutritional Rehabilitation Centres (NRCs) have been established for management of severe acute malnutrition.
  • Exclusive breastfeeding for first six months and appropriate infant and young child feeding practices are being promoted in convergence with Ministry of Woman & Child Development.

Related Content