Time to heed cries of India's newborns

India is not doing enough to protect its youngest citizens. According to ‘Vital Statistics of India based on Civil Registration System 2014’ report, around 1.89 lakh infants died in 2014 and around 80,190 of them were girls. Though there was a reduction in the number of infant deaths - 1.87 lakh infants died the previous year, including 80,609 girls – the drop was very marginal. Several of India’s most prosperous districts, including Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Chandigarh and Bengaluru registered the highest number of infant deaths in 2014. Mumbai and Ahmedabad lead the country in the number of infant girl deaths too, with Bengaluru not far behind. The actual number of infant deaths in 2014 is likely to be far higher than reported. For one, the report does not include figures from Jharkhand. Additionally, the report deals with registered deaths only. Although the number of people registering infant deaths has grown over the years, around 25% of infant deaths continue to go unreported, the 2014 report points out. Non-registration of infant deaths is particularly serious in rural India; registered rural infant deaths were just 31.4% of total infant deaths in the country in 2014. Besides, stillbirths are not counted as neo-natal deaths in India.

India has been successful in halving the infant mortality rate (IMR) over the last 25 years. Between 1990 and 2015, the country’s IMR dipped from 80 infant deaths per 1,000 live birth to 39 in 2015. While the drop is impressive, an IMR of 40 per 1,000 is still too high
especially since many of these deaths are preventable. India contributes more than any other country to global under-5 and newborn deaths.

Some 80% of all newborn deaths in India result from three treatable conditions – complications during childbirth (including birth asphyxia), newborn infections, and complications associated with premature deaths. Besides neo-natal health conditions, other factors that contribute to poor health and thus the death of newborns, are illiteracy, poverty, poor maternal health and nutrition. Another main reason for the large number of neo-natal deaths in India is that a large number of deliveries (67%) take place without skilled personnel in attendance. Studies indicate that the presence of trained healthcare providers at the time of birth can substantially increase a newborn’s chances of survival. Just teaching a new mother thermal care practices – that is, how to wrap newborns to prevent exposure to cold, for instance - can save the lives of
many infants. India has around 9 lakh Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), who are playing a crucial role in improving neo-natal health. Their numbers need to be increased. Importantly, the India Newborn Action Plan and the Janani Suraksha Yojana deserve more attention.