Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:
a) whether the child mortality rate has declined during the last three years;
b) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;
c) the funds released by the Government to reduce child mortality rate during the last three years; and
d) The names of scheme formulated by the Government in this regard?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)
(a) and (b): As per Sample Registration System Report (SRS) of Registrar General of India, the child mortality rate (Under 5 Mortality Rate) has declined from 39 per 1000 live births in 2016 to 36 per 1000 live births in 2018.
Under 5 Mortality Rate (U5MR)at National level and for Larger States/UTs covered under SRS for last 3 years (2016-18) is placed at Annexure I.
(c): The State/UT wise details of Central release under Reproductive and Child Health Flexible Pool [including Routine Immunization, Pulse Polio Immunization (PPI) and National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme (NIDDCP)] under National Health Mission for reducing Child mortality during the last 3 years (F.Y. 2018-19, F.Y. 2019-20 and F.Y. 2020-21) is placed at annexure II.
(d) : In order to bring down child mortality, the Government of India is supporting all States/UTs in implementation of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) strategies under National Health Mission based on the Annual Program Implementation Plan (APIP) submitted by States/ UTs. Special steps/ interventions related to reduction of child mortality include:
• Sick Newborn Care Units (SNCUs) established at District Hospital and Medical College level for care of sick and small babies.
• Newborn Stabilization Units (NBSUs)established at First Referral Units (FRUs)/ Community Health Centres (CHC) for care of sick and small babies
• Under Home Based Newborn Care (HBNC) and Home-Based Care of Young Children (HBYC) program, home visits by ASHAs are undertaken to improve child rearing practices and to identify sick new-born and young children in the community for their timely management.
• Other interventions include the following:
• Early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding for first six months and appropriate Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices are promoted.
• Social Awareness and Actions to Neutralize Pneumonia Successfully (SAANS) initiative has been launched for reduction of Childhood morbidity and mortality due to Pneumonia.
• Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) is being supported to provide vaccination to children against life threatening diseases such as Tuberculosis, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Polio, Tetanus, Hepatitis B, Measles, Rubella, Pneumonia and Meningitis caused by Haemophilus Influenzae B. The Rotavirus vaccination has also been rolled out in the country for prevention of Rota-viral diarrhoea. Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) has been introduced in 25 States and UTs.
• Children from 0 to 18 years of age are screened for 30 health conditions (i.e. Diseases, Deficiencies, Defects and Developmental delay) under “Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakaram” (RBSK) to improve child survival. District Early Intervention Center (DEIC) at district health facility level are established for confirmation and management of children screened under RBSK.
• Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight / Defeat Diarrhoea (D2) initiative has been launched for promoting ORS and Zinc use and for reducing diarrheal deaths.
• Several capacity building programs of health care providers are undertaken for improving maternal and child survival and health outcomes.