Maharashtra witnesses 13,541 infant deaths in just one year

Malnutrition is the major cause for their deaths across the state

Every year the government spends crores of rupees but, high child mortality rates remain a big challenge in front of the government

- CHETAN KOTHARI, RTI activist

In a shocking revelation through a Right to Information (RTI) query, around 13, 541 infants have died in Maharashtra between April 2017 and February 2018. In order to know the reason behind the sudden death 11, 532 out of 13, 541 infants were examined which showed malnutrition is the major cause for all these death.

To curb the increasing infants and child mortality rates in the country, the union government has undertaken various projects and schemes. “Every year the government is spending crores of rupees but, high child mortality rates remain a big challenge in front of the government,” said Chetan Kothari, RTI activist. He further added as the government is not able to reach tribal and rural due to which the mortality rate of infants and children is increasing tremendously in the state. “The state machinery has still not reached to tribal areas. Malnutrition and not being able to receive food which provides nutrition to the pregnant mother are the two main reasons behind the growth in infant mortality rates,” added Kothari.

Dr Archana Patil, Additional Director State Family Welfare Department, said only malnutrition is not the exact reason for infant and child death, there are various reasons that are associated with the infant’s death. Kids between 0 to 5 years of age die due to suffering from various diseases.

“Low birth weight is also one of the contributing factors. In order to curb the infant’s mortality, the state government is implementing various child welfare schemes, and also the awareness is being created in the patents as well.”

Most of the doctors said one of the main contributing factors in behind an infant’s death is malnutrition. The state government should prepare an action plan to tackle this and should take help of the doctors.

“Even the Anganwadi workers should be adequately trained to take care of the malnourished children. Cleanliness and hygiene is also a major contributing factor,” said Dr Rupinder Kaur, MD, Medicine.