India Infant Mortality Rates: The impact of efforts to improve health services in India is now gradually becoming visible in the statistics as well. In the last few years, there has been a decline in the infant mortality rate in the country i.e. cases of death of children within one year after birth. This change is considered to be an indication that awareness has increased in hospitals regarding delivery, maternal health services and care of newborn children. However, the picture cannot be called completely good.

Some states of the country have done excellent work in reducing the infant mortality rate, while many states are still lagging far behind. The situation is especially worrying in rural areas, where even today many newborn babies die within a few days or months of birth. The data revealed in the 2024 report of the Sample Registration System (SRS) has sparked a new discussion about the health of children across the country. According to the report, there has been a decline in the infant mortality rate in India, but a huge difference still remains between the states.

How much has the infant mortality rate decreased in the country?

According to the report, the infant mortality rate (IMR) in India was 30 per 1000 live births in 2019, which has come down to 24 in 2024, that is, an average decline of one point was recorded every year. Now fewer children are losing their lives within a year of birth than before. This is being considered a big sign of improvement in health services, yet the situation has not completely improved. The report shows that even now one out of every 42 children in the country does not reach his first birthday. The situation is more serious in rural areas, where one in every 37 children dies.

Which states have the worst situation?

According to the report, the highest infant mortality rate was recorded in Chhattisgarh. Here, 36 infants died per 1000 children. This was followed by Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, where IMR 35 was recorded. There are still many challenges regarding health services in these states. Experts believe that just increasing hospital deliveries will not completely eliminate the problem. Care, nutrition and timely treatment of newborn children is equally important.

These states performed brilliantly

While some states are lagging behind, many states have also performed well. Kerala recorded the lowest infant mortality rate in the country, which was only 8. This was followed by Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Delhi, where IMR 11 was recorded. Experts say that due to better health facilities, awareness and good level of education of women in these states, the cases of child deaths have decreased.

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There is still more danger in rural areas

According to the report, the infant mortality rate in rural areas remains higher than in cities. The biggest difference was seen between rural and urban areas in Assam. Lack of health facilities in rural areas, availability of doctors and lack of awareness are considered to be the major reasons for this. The report also revealed that there is a difference in the infant mortality rate of boys and girls in many states. This difference was most visible in Bihar. In Bihar, IMR of boys was 21, while that of girls was 25. The situation was opposite in Jammu and Kashmir, where the death rate of boys was higher than that of girls.

The first 28 days after birth are the most dangerous.

According to experts, most deaths of infants occur within the first 28 days after birth. This is called Neo-Natal Mortality Rate. About 73 percent of total infant deaths in the country occurred within the first 28 days of birth. India’s neonatal mortality rate was recorded at 18 per 1000 live births. In this case too, Kerala was the best state, where this rate was only 6, whereas in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh this rate was highest at 26, Uttar Pradesh was also among the states raising concerns with the figure of 25.

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Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.

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