The number of new-born deaths in India is 25 per 1,000 live births, which constitutes nearly a quarter of the new-born deaths globally, according to 'Being Alive', a report released by UNICEF on20th February, 2018 (Tuesday). The report also stated that almost eighty percent of the deaths of new-born children could be avoided if proper medical care, nutrition during pregnancy for mothers, and facilities were available. India is ranked 12th of the 52 lower middle income countries when it comes to new born mortality rates. Gynaecologist Dr. T.S. Akshara, says, "We have been ranked higher than our less prosperous neighbours because most programmes implemented by the government for child safety and women's welfare are spread diversely with a few places reaping the benefit. We should ensure that new-born babies get the best of treatment while in the womb and outside".
Poor new-born mortality rate linked to lack of mother's education: As part of the Being Alive Campaign, UNICEF has asked all countries to up the cooperation between governments, healthcare providers and patients by ensuring the 4 P's: Power, i.e., ensuring community based health care facilities, followed by People, i.e., trained health staff, and Products, which is equipment and drugs needed for delivery. Another important aspect raised in the report is the 'quality' of services, i.e., not whether the resources or services exist, but how they are deployed. 'Quality is also about health workers believing that the life of every mother and baby is worth saving, regardless of income, age ethnicity, religion and social or cultural norms', states the report.
Dr. V.P. Jyotsna, a gynaecologist, says that according to WHO standards, basic minimum level of care must be provided to every woman. "People often avoid hospitals because of the stigma against C-sections but can a housewife or an untrained professional guarantee safety of the mother or baby when there is a mishap? Irrespective of caste, creed or economic condition pre-natal complications can arise. Just because of social differences, no woman should be denied medical care, treatment or facilities". The report also states that the poor new-born mortality rate is likely to lack of mother's education and economic background.
Gynaecologist S.K. Shilpi Reddy says, "The intention to access health care should firstly be present even in rural areas. Despite the government providing money for institutional deliveries and providing vaccines and protein powders free, people from rural areas do not visit hospitals until a complication arises. With proper check-ups and nutrition for the mother and screening of the foetus, we can ensure a healthy child. The neo-natal outcome will be successful only if ante-natal care is given". Another important aspect raised in the report was breastfeeding. The report states that some health-care workers do not have the time, knowledge or skills to overcome mis-conceptions about breast-feeding. Experts say that unless the benefits of breast-feeding are taught to mothers - that it contains antibodies to fight viruses and bacteria - the practice will not be widely followed.
UNICEF Report:
--2.6 million babies die before they are one month old.
--2.6 million babies are still-born - 1.3 million babies out of this are alive at the start of labour.
--7,000 new-borns die on a daily basis.
--35% of health facilities in 54 countries, including India do not have water and soap for hand washing in hospitals.
New-born mortality rate / Deaths per 1,000 live births.
India / 25.4; China /5.1; Pakistan / 45.6; Bangladesh / 20.1; Afghanistan / 40.
--41% deaths occur in cases where the mother has no education.
--31% where the mother just has no education.
--22% when the mother has secondary or higher education.
Causes of new-born deaths:
--Premature.
--Complications.
--Infections such as sepsis, meningitis and pneumonia.
--Stiil-born babies do not receive an official birth or death certificate.
Improvement:
--Under-five deaths in India reduced by 66% between 1990 and 2015.
--Under-five mortality in India dropped below one million for the first time in 2016 - 1.2 lakh fewer children below the age of five died in the country in 2016 than the previous year.
--Development goals target for under-five mortality of 25 per 1,000 live births by 2030.
-Challapalli Srinivas Chakrvarhy-
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