India’s Remarkable Progress in Maternal and Child Health

UN reports appreciate India’s health outcomes

India’s Remarkable Progress in Maternal and Child Health: India has been recognised in the latest UN Inter-agency reports for achieving major success in reducing maternal and child mortality. The two reports – ‘Trends in Maternal Mortality 2000–2023’ and ‘Levels & Trends in Child Mortality 2024’ – praised India’s public health systems and immunization drives.

Decline in zero-dose children

India has seen a major drop in zero-dose children, those who missed even their first DTP (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis) vaccine.
The percentage dropped from 0.11% in 2023 to 0.06% in 2024. This reflects improved outreach in vulnerable regions.

Static GK fact: DTP is a combination vaccine used globally to protect against three deadly diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough).

Reduction in maternal mortality

The country recorded an 86% decline in Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR), which is defined as the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.
This is a much faster improvement than the global average of 48% since 1990.

Under-five and neonatal deaths also drop

India’s Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR) saw a 78% drop, compared to the global decline of 61%.
The Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) – deaths in the first 29 days of birth – dropped by 70%, while the global decline stood at 54%.

Static GK Tip: U5MR is one of the key indicators used by UNICEF to measure a nation’s progress in child health and survival.

Immunization strategy ensures consistent success

India has maintained polio-free status since 2014 through well-coordinated National Immunization Days (NIDs).
The Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) is the backbone of this achievement, reaching over 2.9 crore pregnant women and 2.6 crore infants annually.

The number of diseases covered under UIP has grown from 6 in 2013 to 12 in 2024, including the Rotavirus, Measles-Rubella, and Pneumococcal vaccines.

Mission Indradhanush and targeted planning

The government launched Mission Indradhanush in 2014 to target left-out and drop-out children.
It was intensified in 2017, leading to the vaccination of 5.46 crore children and 1.32 crore pregnant women.

A special 2024 Zero Dose Implementation Plan has been initiated across 143 districts in 11 states. These areas have high numbers of unvaccinated children.

Ground-level health services strengthen coverage

Key platforms like Village Health and Nutrition Days (VHNDs) ensure regular outreach services in rural India.
Digital tracking through the U-WIN platform and community networks like ASHAs and ANMs have played a major role in maintaining consistent vaccination data and reducing dropouts.

Static GK Tip: ASHA stands for Accredited Social Health Activist, a key community-level health worker under the National Health Mission (NHM).

Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table

India’s Remarkable Progress in Maternal and Child Health: