New Delhi (NVI): The mortality rate of children under the age of 5 in India is 37 per 1,000 live births, which translates into more than 8 lakh children deaths, according to UNICEF’s State of the World’s Children Report 2019.
The figure stood at 39 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2018, it said.
Globalization, urbanization, inequities, humanitarian crises and climate shocks are driving unprecedented negative changes in the nutrition situation of children around the world, according to the report.
Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Ashwini Kumar Choubey stated, “In line with these issues, Government launched POSHAN (Prime Minister Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment) Abhiyaan, to address malnutrition challenges in India by engaging all the important stakeholders in a convergent approach.”
“The goals of POSHAN Abhiyaan is to prevent and reduce stunting, underweight and low birth weight by 2% per annum and reduction of anemia by 3% per annum,” Choubey added.
The Government has also launched several schemes under the aegis of Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) to tackle malnutrition in the country including Anganwadi Services, Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG) etc.
In order to address child mortality and morbidity, the government is supporting all States and UTs under the National Health Mission in implementation of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) strategy, which will strengthen essential newborn care at all delivery points, establishment of Sick Newborn Care Units (SNCU), Newborn Stabilization Units (NBSU) and Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) units for care of sick and small babies.
Newborn care by ASHAs, early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding for first six months and appropriate Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices, Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) to provide vaccination to children against life threatening diseases, have been initiated under this strategies, Ashwini Choubey further mentioned.
