Under 5 child mortality rate falls significantly by 4 points during 2014

The Under-5 Child Mortality has fallen by a significant four points during 2013-14.

This was stated by the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, J P Nadda, here on Tuesday.

Nadda further mentioned that the recent RGI data released for the Sample Registration Survey (SRS) for the year 2014 indicates 8.16 percent decline in under-five mortality (during 2013-2014) as compared to 5.76 percent decline during 2012-2013.

The U5MR in 2014 is 45 compared to U5MR in 2013, which stood at 49 indicating a 4 point decline. While the decline between 2012-13 was by three points ( it was 52 in 2012 and 49 in 2013).

This implies that about 1.26 lakh additional under-five deaths have been averted in 2014.

The Union Health Minister stated considering the significant progress in 2014, India is set to achieve MDG4 target of under-five mortality of 42 per 1000 live births in 2015.

Significant point decline (4 points and more) in the U5MR has been recorded in 15 states. These are: Assam (7), U.P (7), Rajasthan (6), Chattisgarh (4), Delhi (5), Gujarat (4), Haryana(5), Odisha (6), Himachal Pradesh (5), Jammu & Kashmir (5), Jharkhand (4), Karnataka (4), Madhya Pradesh (4), Punjab (4), West Bengal (5). 16 out of 20 states have shown a decline of more than and equal to 3 points.

Moreover, the rural urban differential in under-five mortality is reduced to 23 points in comparison to 26 points in 2013 indicating good progress in rural areas.

The success has been possible due to dedicated efforts during the neonatal period through establishment of special new-born care units (SNCU), systematic home visits by ASHA workers to all new-borns for improving breastfeeding practices, improvement in quality institutional delivery.