Haryana Infant Mortality Rate drops to 24, matches national average: SRS Report 2024

Chandigarh: Haryana's infant mortality rate has dropped from 28 to 24 deaths per 1,000 live births in five years, matching the national average, according to the Sample Registration System (SRS) Report 2024. Additional chief secretary, health and family welfare department, Sumita Misra attributed the nearly 14% decline to sustained improvements in maternal and newborn healthcare services.Misra highlighted that Haryana's pace of improvement has outstripped several neighbouring states despite the challenges of serving a larger and more densely populated population. Over the last decade, the state has reduced its IMR from 41 to 24, marking substantial gains in public health outcomes.Health officials attributed the improvement to a series of govt initiatives aimed at strengthening neonatal and child healthcare. These include the expansion of Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs), Newborn Stabilisation Units (NBSUs), Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres, Kangaroo Mother Care facilities, Lactation Management Units, Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram and Home-Based Newborn Care services.The state's performance also compares favourably with several large states where infant mortality remains significantly higher. Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh continue to report IMRs of around 35, while Chhattisgarh records approximately 36 deaths per 1,000 live births.To further accelerate progress, Haryana govt plans to establish additional newborn care facilities and upgrade existing SNCUs into Maternal and Newborn Care Units (MNCUs). While challenges persist in some rural and eastern regions, officials remain optimistic that strengthened healthcare services and focused grassroots implementation will help further reduce infant mortality and improve child survival rates across the state. MSID:: 131551601 413 |