21.3% Spike in Child Deaths in Mumbai Over 5 Years: BMC

According to the latest statistics revealed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Mumbai has seen a huge increase in child mortality rates over the past five years. The rate of child mortality in children aged 0 to 5 has risen by 21.3%.

The number of deaths in this age group was 1,779 before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in 2023, this number will increase to 2,158. There have been a total of 9,972 deaths over these five years, the statistics further stated.

In addition to this, there were over 5,301 reported deaths in the 10 to 18-year-old age range. The local body has not released data regarding child fatalities for the six to nine-year-old age range.

Since the pandemic, paediatricians have observed a deterioration in children's immunity, making them more susceptible to illness. Officials have identified several factors contributing to this trend. These include infant abnormalities, malnutrition, premature deliveries, maternal mortality, and cross infections. Reports suggest that maternal starvation, foetal malnourishment, and delayed diagnosis can all contribute to a newborn's health issues. 

The data for Maharashtra on child mortality for the past five years reveals that 4,433 girls and 5,528 boys aged 0 to 5 have died. During the same period, 1,771 children between the ages of 10 and 18 passed away from infectious diseases. There were 1,021 unintentional deaths and 2,136 deaths from non-communicable diseases. Notably, 76 deaths were reported as a result of failing to consider the severity of the illness. Between April 2020 and 2023, 19,781 preterm deaths were reported.

According to earlier data released on February 21 by the state public health department, there has been an 11% decrease in the absolute number of child deaths in Maharashtra over the last four years. Activists have stressed the need to focus on tribal and rural communities for continued progress. 

The number of deaths among children under five years old fell from 19,185 in 2019–20 to 17,150 in 2022–2023. Babies under a month old continue to account for almost two-thirds of all mortality. These babies are particularly susceptible to sepsis, pneumonia, and low birth weight. A 15% decrease has been noted in infant (0–1 year) fatalities.

The lower the birth weight, the higher the likelihood of an infection. In the last four years, 37,292 children died in 16 districts. This is despite the government's significant expenditure on healthy meal programmes.