A milestone in child health

India’s Success in Reducing Under-Five Mortality: India has made remarkable progress in child survival by recording a 78% drop in the under-five mortality rate, as reported in the 2024 UN IGME findings. This improvement surpasses the global reduction of 61%, underlining India’s focused approach to child healthcare. The country has also achieved a 70% decline in neonatal deaths, which is significantly better than the global decline of 54%.

Key observations from the UN report

The UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation applauded India’s performance in reducing deaths among children under five and newborns. These outcomes stem from long-term investments in healthcare accessibility and consistent immunization efforts, especially among marginalized communities.

Static GK fact: The UN IGME is a coalition of UNICEF, WHO, World Bank, and UN-DESA, monitoring child mortality trends globally.

Backbone of success: Immunization programmes

India’s achievement is closely tied to the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), initiated in 1985. This large-scale programme delivers free vaccines to over 2.9 crore pregnant women and 2.6 crore infants every year, protecting them from 12 life-threatening diseases like Polio, Measles, and Hepatitis B.

Special drives such as Mission Indradhanush and its intensified variant have helped bridge gaps in vaccine access, especially in difficult-to-reach regions.

Static GK Tip: The Mission Indradhanush campaign was launched in 2014 to enhance full immunization coverage in India to at least 90%.

Sharp fall in zero-dose children

A major highlight in recent years is the reduction in the number of zero-dose children—those who receive no vaccines. This figure dropped from 0.11% in 2023 to 0.06% in 2024, reflecting the effectiveness of targeted outreach and growing trust in healthcare delivery systems.

This aligns with India’s efforts toward universal health coverage, ensuring no child is left behind regardless of socio-economic status.

Broader vision and goals

The primary aims of India’s immunization efforts include:

• Decreasing infant and maternal mortality
• Raising public awareness around vaccine importance
• Promoting inclusive and equitable healthcare
• Advancing towards global health targets like Sustainable Development Goal 3

Static GK fact: SDG-3 emphasizes ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for people of all ages.

Global relevance of India’s achievement

India’s consistent progress in reducing child mortality stands as a benchmark for other developing nations. The country’s example illustrates how inclusive, well-funded, and widely implemented public health campaigns can produce outcomes that exceed global standards. It also enhances India’s stature as a public health leader in the Global South, supporting international goals in child health and survival.

Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table

India’s Success in Reducing Under-Five Mortality: