RMNCH+A Highlight Series – Strengthening Essential Newborn Care: Facility Readiness and Supportive Supervision in Haryana

Publish Date: July 2014
Author: MCHIP
Language: English

India accounts for one-fifth, or approximately 26 million, of the world’s annual births. Since 1990, India’s infant mortality rate (IMR) has declined steadily, but the neonatal mortality rate (NMR) has stagnated. One third of all infant deaths worldwide continue to occur in India each year. India currently accounts for 29% of all first day deaths globally, approximately 300,000 per year. Most of the 940,000 newborn deaths in India are from preventable causes (Lancet, 2011). To further reduce infant and child mortality, it is crucial for India to focus on significantly reducing newborn death.