More than 300,000 babies die within 24 hours of being born in India each year from infections and other preventable causes, a report said Tuesday. Infants fare better even in Bangladesh and Pakistan, says the report published by non-governmental organisation ‘Save the Children’.
The organisation worked in 186 countries for its ‘State of World’s Mother Report’.
Bangladesh and Pakistan also have large numbers of yearly first-day deaths at 28,000 and 60,000 with chronic malnourishment of mothers one of the major factors for the fatalities in the region.
“Progress has been made, but more than 1,000 babies die every day on their first day of life from preventable causes throughout India, Pakistan and Bangladesh,” said Mike Novell, the regional director of the charity.
Of every 100 new-borns that die in the world, 29 are in India. In real, heart-rending numbers that is three lakh babies who die on the day they are born, every year.
Luxembourg has the least new-born deaths, India the most, the reports says. While infant deaths in India have come down by almost half compared to 1990, the rate has been slower than that in, say, Nepal. The statistics only get worse. More than half the child deaths in India happen in the first month. And India has the biggest disparity between the rich and poor in child deaths.
The country’s report card on mother and child health too is abysmal. India is also behind Bangladesh and Pakistan on this list. banglanews24.com
