Chandigarh (Balwinder Singh): Haryana has achieved a significant milestone in child healthcare, bringing its Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) down to 24 deaths per 1,000 live births, according to the Sample Registration System (SRS) Report 2024. The latest figure places Haryana on par with the national average and reflects sustained improvements in maternal and child healthcare services across the state.
Sharing the details, Haryana Health and Family Welfare Department Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Sumita Misra said the state has made consistent progress in key health indicators through targeted interventions in maternal and newborn healthcare. She noted that the achievement highlights the impact of continuous investments in healthcare infrastructure and community-based health services.
The report shows that Haryana’s IMR declined from 28 to 24 over the last five years, marking a reduction of nearly 14 percent. During the same period, Punjab’s IMR fell from 18 to 16, reflecting an improvement of around 11 percent. Officials said the figures indicate that Haryana has achieved a faster pace of decline despite serving a larger and denser population.
Dr. Misra said Haryana has now reached the national average in infant mortality and continues to make steady progress in reducing child deaths. She added that comparisons with smaller states and Union Territories often overlook the challenges associated with population size, density and healthcare delivery in a large state like Haryana.
Health department officials pointed out that Haryana’s performance compares favourably with several larger states where infant mortality remains significantly higher. States such as Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh continue to report IMRs of around 35, while Chhattisgarh records approximately 36 deaths per 1,000 live births.
The improvement has been attributed to a range of initiatives aimed at strengthening newborn and child healthcare services. These include the expansion of Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs), Newborn Stabilisation Units (NBSUs), Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres (NRCs), Newborn Baby Care Corners (NBCCs), Kangaroo Mother Care facilities, hybrid HDU-ICU units, Comprehensive Lactation Management Centres, Lactation Management Units, Janani Shishu Suraksha Programme and home-based newborn care services.
Dr. Misra said enhanced institutional deliveries, improved neonatal care and stronger healthcare infrastructure have played a crucial role in reducing infant and newborn mortality rates. The government is continuing to focus on strengthening antenatal care services, ensuring safer deliveries and upgrading neonatal intensive care facilities in public hospitals.
To accelerate progress further, Haryana plans to establish additional SNCUs, NBSUs, NRCs and Lactation Management Units across the state. Existing Special Newborn Care Units are also being upgraded into Maternal and Newborn Care Units (MNCUs) to provide integrated care for mothers and infants under one roof.
While infant mortality remains a challenge in some rural regions and parts of eastern Haryana, Dr. Misra said the state’s long-term trajectory remains encouraging. Over the past decade, Haryana has reduced its IMR from 41 to 24 deaths per 1,000 live births, reflecting substantial improvements in public healthcare services and access to medical facilities.
Expressing confidence in future outcomes, she said continued strengthening of maternal and child healthcare services, coupled with focused implementation at the grassroots level, would help Haryana achieve even better health indicators and ensure more children survive and celebrate their first birthday.
