Decline in Child Mortality Under the Age of Five

Why in News?

On April 21, 2022, Haryana Health and Family Welfare Minister Anil Vij informed that as per the Registrar General of India and Sample Registration System (SRS) the latest child health data shows a five digit rate of infant mortality in Haryana under five years of age. There has been a significant decline.

Key Points

• Minister Anil Vij informed that Haryana has the highest drop of 5 points in U5MR as compared to neighboring states like Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
• He informed that Haryana is focusing on further improving child health services through continuous endeavor to provide quality healthcare to mothers and babies. Free surgeries under RBSK programs have also contributed to the decline of child mortality.
• Haryana has seen a five-point drop in the Under Five Mortality Rate (U5MR) from 36 (SRS, 2018) to 31 (SRS, 2019) per 1000 births.
• Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) has come down from 30 (SRS 2018) to 27 (SRS 2019) and Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) has come down from 22 (SRS 2018) to 19 (SRS 2019), both these indicators also have a significant decline of 3 digit.
• The decline in child health indicators is due to various child health initiatives taken by the health department, which include 24 Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs) along with functional Kangaroo Mother Care Units (KMC units). Two new SNCUs have been established at Sub Divisional Hospital (SDH), Ambala Cantonment and SDH Jagadhri.
• Mother Newborn Care Unit (MNCU) has been established at Nalhar Medical College, Nuh and Agroha Medical College, Hisar. 66 Neonatal Stabilization Units (NBSUs), 318 Newborn Care Centers as well as 11 Nutritional Rehabilitation Centers (NRCs) have also played an important role in reducing the NMR and further IMR.