Fastest decline in child mortality rates witnessed

According to the recently released data‐New estimates in levels and trends in child mortality 2014‐ under five mortality rates have dropped by 49% between 1990 and 2013. However it is still way far behind to reach the global target of two-thirds decrease in under five mortality rate by 2015.

Important observations made by the report:

• Neonatal deaths account for 44% of all under-five deaths in children. And hence it is considered to be the most vulnerable period(neonatal period: 0 – 27 days).
  
• India has the highest number of neonatal deaths in the world.
• The report says that many of the neonatal deaths can be prevented by simple, cost effective interventions before, during and immediately after the birth.
• Of the 2.6 million still births in the world, 600,000 take place in India( still birth occurs when the fetus dies in the uterus).

India's performance:

• India has performed well in reducing the neonatal mortality rate. It was 37 per 1000 live births in 2003 and by 2012 it was dropped to 29.
• There has been a consistent decline in Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR) in India. The rate of decline in current decade is higher than in the previous.
• Six states, namely Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and West Bengal are likely to achieve the goal(two thirds decrease in under five mortality rate) by 2015.

Measures taken by govt:

• Promoting institutional deliveries by providing cash transfer incentive, free drug, diagnostic test, diet and free transport facilities.
• Establishment of New born care corners which provide immediate care for newborns which further enhances the chance of survival.
• Establishment of special new born care units which care for babies that have very serious conditions.
• Home visits of newborns by ASHA workers who educate the mothers on breast feeding, the importance of keeping the newborns warm and also identify the sick babies( breastfeeding within an hour of birth can save the 44% of new borns.
  The first breast milk is COLOSTRUM which is thick and nutritious and provides early nutririon, has VITAMIN A, decreases jaundice and transfers antibodies from mother which prevent infections and help in the development).