Ramesh Sarraf Dhamora
Child Safety Day is celebrated every year on November 7th to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the health and well-being of infants. The day focuses on reducing infant mortality by promoting early health care, nutrition, immunization, and parental education. Millions of infants worldwide still die from preventable causes such as infections, malnutrition, and lack of medical care. This day reminds society and governments to take more concrete steps to ensure every child’s right to a healthy start in life.
In India and many other countries, Child Safety Day serves as a platform to promote maternal and child health initiatives. Programs such as the Janani Suraksha Yojana and the Poshan Abhiyaan demonstrate the commitment to improving early childhood care. This day encourages parents to follow proper diet, hygiene, and vaccination practices to ensure healthy development. Many children around the world die due to lack of proper new-born care. However, the government has made significant efforts to address this issue, leading to a decline in infant mortality rates in the country. According to Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the country is moving towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The past 77 years have been a significant challenge for the government regarding new-born deaths in India, although the rate is steadily decreasing.
The country has recorded a significant decline in the infant mortality rate (IMR) and the birth rate. According to the 2023 Sample Registration System (SRS) report, the infant mortality rate has reached a minimum of 25, a decline of 37.5 per cent compared to 40 in 2013. The birth rate has also seen a significant decline of 14 per cent in the last 10 years. In 2013, this rate was 21.4 per cent, but now it is 18.4 per cent. IMR is a key public health indicator, defined as the number of deaths per 1,000 infants less than one year of age. The lower this number, the better the access to healthcare.
According to the SRS report, an 80 per cent decline has been recorded in infant mortality by 2023 compared to the 1971 level. Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Uttar Pradesh have the highest child mortality rates at 37 per thousand, while Manipur has the highest figure at three. Kerala is the only state among the 21 states where the infant mortality rate is recorded in single digits. The state’s figure is 5, second only to Manipur.
The report shows that the IMR has declined from 44 to 28 in rural areas, while in urban areas it has declined from 27 to 18. Thus, in 10 years, a decline of 36 per cent and 33 per cent has been recorded in this rate respectively. Declining trend in infant birth rate too. The report has also recorded a declining trend in infant birth rate. This rate is an important determinant of population growth. Under this, the number of live births per thousand population is given in a year. According to the report, a huge decline has been recorded in the birth rate in the last five decades. This rate has fallen from 36.9 per cent in 1971 to 18.4 per cent in 2023. During this period, the infant birth rate in rural and urban areas has become almost equal. In the last 10 years, the birth rate has fallen from 21.4 per cent to 18.4 per cent in 2023.
The report states that the birth rate has declined by approximately 14 per cent over the past decade, from 21.4 in 2013 to 18.4 in 2023. In rural areas, it has declined by 11 per cent, from 22.9 to 20.3. In urban areas, it has declined by approximately 14 per cent, from 17.3 to 14.9. Bihar recorded the highest birth rate in 2023 at 25.8, while the Andaman and Nicobar Islands had the lowest at 10.1. The report states that Chandigarh recorded the lowest mortality rate at 4, and Chhattisgarh the highest at 8.3.
While India has achieved progress in medicine over the past seven decades and has achieved significant infant mortality, infant mortality remains a major concern. Currently, 25 out of every 1,000 infants die before reaching the age of one. This problem is exacerbated by the lack of healthcare in the country. Governments have implemented numerous schemes to address this issue. However, due to a lack of basic healthcare facilities and awareness, infant mortality rates have not been fully reduced. Many children still die due to lack of proper nutrition. Lack of education in rural areas and a shortage of trained nurses and midwives also contribute to various problems.
The estimated expenditure for the Department of Health and Family Welfare in 2025-26 is ₹99,859 crore. This is an 11% increase from the revised estimates for 2024-25. This represents approximately 1.97% of the central government’s total budget for 2025-26. This amount is low; it must be increased to prevent infant deaths in India. Child safety is not just the government’s responsibility, but everyone’s. Only then will we be able to come together and achieve a higher level of protection for our children compared to other countries.
To reduce infant mortality, the World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding within one hour of birth. A mother’s thick, yellowish milk, known as colostrum, contains the highest concentration of anti-infection elements. It contains up to 10 per cent protein along with a high amount of vitamin A, making it the best way to boost the body’s immunity. Babies should be exclusively breastfed for six months. No other milk, food, beverage, or even water should be given to them except breast milk. This protects the baby from diarrhoea, pneumonia, asthma, and allergies.
India’s health expenditure as a percentage of GDP falls well below the world average and other developing and developed countries. While India’s expenditure is higher than that of countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, it lags far behind countries like the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Finland, the Netherlands, and Australia, which spend more than 9 per cent of their total GDP on health. Similarly, Japan, Canada, Switzerland, France, and Germany spend at least 10 per cent of their total GDP on healthcare. The United States spends approximately 16 per cent of its GDP on healthcare. Budget allocations for health should emphasize improvements in public health systems and technology. Healthcare infrastructure, especially in rural areas, needs greater attention.
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(The author is a freelance journalist accredited by the Rajasthan government.)
