Context:

India has registered remarkable progress in reducing child mortality, surpassing global trends and demonstrating the impact of focused health interventions. According to the United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) 2024 report, India’s Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR) has declined by 78%, compared to a 61% decline globally. Similarly, the Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) has reduced by 70%, outperforming the global reduction of 54%.

Key Highlights

• Under-Five Mortality Rate Decline: 78% in India vs. 61% globally.
• Neonatal Mortality Rate Decline: 70% in India vs. 54% globally.
• Zero-Dose Children: The share of children who have received no vaccines declined from 0.11% in 2023 to 0.06% in 2024, reflecting enhanced immunization outreach.

Role of Vaccination:

The Union Health Ministry has emphasized that vaccination is one of the most powerful and cost-effective public health measures. India’s Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) provides free vaccines to 2.9 crore pregnant women and 2.6 crore infants annually. This has contributed significantly to reducing preventable child deaths.

The proactive approach includes:

• Expanding vaccine coverage to underserved and remote areas.
• Strengthening cold chain infrastructure and service delivery.
• Community mobilization to increase awareness and acceptance.

Major Initiatives Contributing to the Achievement:

1.      Universal Immunization Programme (UIP):

o    Provides immunization against life-threatening diseases such as diphtheria, measles, tetanus, and polio.

2.      Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan:

o    Delivers assured, comprehensive antenatal care on a fixed day every month.

3.     Janani Suraksha Yojana:

o    Offers cash assistance linked to institutional delivery and postnatal care to reduce maternal and infant mortality.

4.     Mothers’ Absolute Affection (MAA):

o    Focuses on promoting optimal breastfeeding practices, which are crucial for newborn survival and nutrition.

Recommendations for Further Reduction:

• Prioritising Investments:

Focus resources on the most vulnerable and marginalized populations where mortality remains high.

• Data Optimization:

Use detailed subnational data to target interventions more effectively and monitor progress in real time.

• Age-Specific Interventions:

Develop interventions tailored to different age groups within the under-five cohort, such as newborn care and nutrition support for older infants.

• Improving Data Availability:

Strengthen data systems to capture reliable information on births, deaths, and immunization coverage.

Way Forward:

India’s progress showcases the impact of sustained policy focus, community-based interventions, and robust health infrastructure. However, further efforts are needed to:

• Ensure no child is left behind in immunization drives.
• Address social determinants such as nutrition, sanitation, and maternal education.
• Integrate technological solutions for real-time monitoring and service delivery.

Continued investment and innovation in child health programmes will be essential to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3, which targets an end to preventable deaths of newborns and children under five by 2030.

India’s experience offers valuable lessons for other countries seeking to accelerate progress in child survival and improve population health outcomes.