Bhakti Paun Sharma
... Read More
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookie Policy.
Written By: Bhakti Paun Sharma | Published : September 9, 2015 11:18 AM IST
India once again tops UNICEF s list of countries with high under-5 mortality rate. Despite several efforts to reduce the mortality rate of children under 5, India has achieved very little success. According to a recent UNICEF report, India still tops the list of countries where mortality of children under 5 is higher. In India, the under-five mortality rate (U5MR) is about seven times higher according to the reports.
Pneumonia and diarrhea are the causes of the high mortality rate in children under 5 years of age in India according to a WHO report. Because of lack of nutrition, the child s immunity is low. Even though the government has many schemes, there are leakages. says social activist Ranjana Kumari.
Though India did not qualify to meet the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target of reducing the mortality by two-thirds over the period of 25 years, it has succeeded in achieving 62% reduction which is commendable considering the huge population of the country. The U5MR has dropped to 48 in 1000 live births in 2015 from 126 deaths per 1000 live births in 1990.
Read: Why is infant mortality so high in India and other Asian countries?
58% of under-5 deaths are caused during the neonatal period in India. Further efforts continue under India s plan to bring down the U5MR with its India Newborn Action Plan (INAP) that was unveiled in 2014. This plan aims at bringing down the rate of neonatal and stillborn mortality. Read more about the plan here.
East Asia and the Pacific, the Caribbean and Latin America were successful in meeting the MDG 4 target. Also, even though the global U5MR has gone down, South Asia and sub- Saharan Africa still shows high numbers according to a Times of India report.
For an overall drop in child mortality, better vaccines, better primary healthcare facilities, improved nutrition, and excellent post-natal care are quintessential. The efforts to improve U5MR should continue even after the time period of MDG calculations is over.
Image Source: Shutterstock
