(a) whether the percentage of mortality rate ( children between below 5 years of age in India
is highest in the world as published by `Securing Rights` which prepared a report on Millennium
Development Targets as reported in the Hindi daily Rashtriya Sahara dated September
19, 2005;
(b) if so, the facts of the matter reported therein; and
(c) the steps proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRIMATI PANABAKA LAKSHMI)
(a) and (b) The World Health Organization have published the `World Health Report 2005` wherein
details of under five mortality rate for various countries have been published. According to
this report under five mortality rate for India was 87 per thousand live births in 2003. 47
countries have under five mortality higher than India. The details of the Report have been
published in the daily Rashtriya Sahara dated 19.9.2005.
(c) Under the Reproductive Child Health Programme (RCH) being implemented in all States of
the country, various interventions for reducing infant & child mortality and morbidity in
children are being implemented. These include immunization against six vaccine preventable
diseases, control of death due to diarrhoea and control of deaths due to acute respiratory
infections. Health Care Workers have been trained in the diagnoses and management of pneumonia
and diarrhoea. This is supplemented by the supply of Tab. Pediatric Cotri-maxazole for
treatment of pneumonia and ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution) for treatment of diarrahoea to the
Health Workers in the Kit-A supplied to them under the RCH Programme. Essential New Born Care
and promotion of exclusive breastfeeding and appropriate complementary feeding practices are
also promoted in the community through Health Care Workers.