Chandigarh (Balwinder Singh): Haryana has recorded remarkable progress in maternal and child healthcare, with its Infant Mortality Rate dropping by more than 40% over the last ten years. According to the Sample Registration System 2024 report, the state’s infant mortality plunged from 41 deaths per 1,000 live births a decade ago to 24. This sustained reduction has successfully saved the lives of thousands of newborns across the state.
A health department spokesperson stated that targeted policy interventions and the expansion of specialized medical facilities have consistently upgraded child health outcomes. Over the past five years alone, Haryana’s mortality rate dropped from 28 to 24, marking a 14% decrease. These latest statistics bring the state on par with the national average, underscoring the positive impact of continuous investments in health infrastructure, neonatal care services, and maternal health interventions.
The state’s under-five mortality rate has also shown significant improvement, declining to 31 from 45 in 2013. The spokesperson noted that despite having a larger and denser population compared to neighboring states like Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, Haryana has managed to maintain consistent progress in mitigating infant deaths through improved healthcare access, enhanced institutional deliveries, and robust newborn care networks.
To achieve these results, Haryana has extensively strengthened its pediatric services by establishing Special Newborn Care Units, Neonatal Stabilization Units, Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres, and Kangaroo Mother Care facilities. The state has also implemented Lactation Management Units, Comprehensive Lactation Management Centres, hybrid high-dependency units, and home-based newborn care programs. To accelerate further progress, the state government is currently upgrading existing newborn care units into integrated maternal and neonatal care units while prioritizing prenatal care and postnatal support.
