The state Public Health Department is making continuous efforts to reduce the infant mortality rate in Maharashtra. However, over the past few years, they have been successful in doing so, states a report.
According to the central government's 2018 SRS report, Maharashtra's infant mortality rate was 19 per 1,000 live births, which came down to 16 per 1,000 live births in 2020's SRS report.
Also, according to the SRS report of 2020, the state's neonatal mortality rate is 11. Besides, Maharashtra has achieved the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2030) target of reducing neonatal mortality rate to below 12.
Pediatric intensive care units have been set up in district hospitals, women's hospitals and some sub-district hospitals of the state. A total of 53 SNCU cells have been established in the state. If the baby's weight is low after birth, he has jaundice or any other problem, then he is admitted to the SNCU ward and treated.
SNCU has a minimum of 12 to 16 beds and is equipped with equipment such as room radiant warmer, phototherapy unit, infusion pump, monitors, non invasive ventilation. A total of 56 thousand 467 children were treated in SNCU in the state from April 2023 to January 2024. Out of these, 5 thousand 459 children weighing less than 1500 grams were treated.
Neonatal stabilisation units are functioning in rural hospitals and upazila hospitals of the state. There are a total of 200 NBSUs in the state where newborns with mild diseases are treated. A total of 24,000 children were treated in the state from April 2023 to January 2024. Through this, services like radiant warmer, phototherapy unit, pulse oximeter, kangaroo mother care, early initiation of breastfeeding, oxygen saline etc. are provided.
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