India Achieves 78% Decline in Under-Five Mortality, Surpasses Global Average

According to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation 2024 report, India has reduced the number of deaths of children under the age of five by 78% compared to the 61 percent decrease globally. The neonatal deaths also reduced by 70% in India against the world average of 54%. India has a powerful Universal Immunization Programme, which is one of the keys to this success. Zero-dose children decreased in 2024 compared to 2023 and fell to 0.06%. Since 1971 there has been gradual development in infant mortality in India.

Context:

• Concerted efforts in the area of public health including immunization have improved the survival rates of children considerably and India is one of the world leaders in minimizing under-five and neonatal deaths.

Key Points

Major Achievements

• Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR):
  • Indian degradation: 78%
  • Worldwide decrease: 61%
  • Its origin (Source: UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, 2024) will be 5,600.
• The rate of neonatal mortality (NMR):
  • Indian decay: 70 percent
  • Worldwide degradation: 54 %
• Zero-Dose Children:
  • The proportion share dropped by 0.11% in 2023 to 0.06% in 2024 representing high vaccine outreach.
• Roles of Universal Immunization Programme
  • Coverage: Vaccinates 2.6 crore and 2.9 crore pregnant women and infants free of cost annually.
  • Impact: Consulted as being one of the best public health measures used by child survival.

Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) in India

Long-Term Trend

State-wise IMR (Sample Registration System – Updated)

• Kerala: 7(top performing big state)
• Nagaland: 4 (Top overall)
• Delhi: 13
• Madhya Pradesh: 48 (The highest in states)

Gender Difference in IMR

• In most states, female infant mortality is above that of males with exception of:
  • Chhattisgarh
  • Delhi
  • Madhya Pradesh
  • Tamil Nadu
  • Uttarakhand

Direct Causes of Infantility

• Premature Births: Infants that are born earlier than 37 weeks of pregnancy hence having underdeveloped organs.
• Infections: Infections of infectious etiology in newborns, sepsis and pneumonia.
• Delay in Delivery: Delivery problems such as labor complications or the circumstances in which public care during birth is not provided.
• Perinatal Asphyxia: Inadequate oxygen at or around the time of birth, which causes brain damage and or death.
• Congenital Anomalies: This is the birth defect or malfunctions in organs or systems in the baby that influence survival.

Contributing Factors of Infant Mortality

• Health conditions in mothers such as hypertension or diabetes that affect the growth of the unborn baby.
• Medical Access: Lack of proper prenatal and postnatal care services to the mothers and the infants.
• Unsafe Birth Related Practices: Employment of abusive or unsanitary birth procedures; particularly within under-resourced regions.
• Malnutrition: Insufficient nutrition in pregnancy resulting in low birth weight and immune systems.
• Socio-economic Barriers: Poverty, low level of education, and inadequate system of healthcare service provision, which increase the risks of childbirth.

Relevant Schemes Supporting Maternal & Child Health

Conclusion

The unprecedented reduction of under-five and neonatal death rates in India indicates that India is making a big effort toward the priority of maternal and child health by depiction of immunization and community health awareness continual efforts. The gains are significant, however, whereas regional and gender disparity has become an aspect that requires further policy attention. India is in a better position to meet SDG goals of child survival even before the world through an upward campaign due to strengthened support through such programs as Samagra Shiksha and PM SHRI.