In 2015, India, like other developed countries, had more number of deaths caused by non-communicable diseases. In the case of males, deaths due to non-communicable diseases (3.6 million) were more than double that caused by communicable diseases (1.5 million), while it was nearly double in females (2.7 million due to non-communicable diseases and nearly … Continue reading Non-communicable diseases killed more Indians in 2015
Neonatal deaths
Women live four years longer than men in India
People in India live significantly longer now compared with 1990. Life expectancy increased by 6.9 years for men and 10.3 years for women between 1990 and 2013, notes a study published in the British medical journal The Lancet . In 1990, the figures were 57.25 for men and 59.19 for women. This rose to 64.16 … Continue reading Women live four years longer than men in India
Why rural children in India die of diarrhoea and pneumonia
The reason why a large number of children under the age of five years die of diarrhoea and pneumonia, generally in rural India and especially in Bihar, has become abundantly clear. The results of a study were published a couple of days ago in the journal JAMA Pediatrics. Diarrhoea and pneumonia are the biggest killer diseases … Continue reading Why rural children in India die of diarrhoea and pneumonia
Editorial: Strengthening care of the newborn
Tamil Nadu has come to realise in a most tragic manner the high mortality risk faced by preterm babies (those born before 37 completed weeks of gestation), and its unfinished task of saving these lives. Of the 13 neonates who died recently in district hospitals in Dharmapuri and Salem, five were preterm. Both preterm and … Continue reading Editorial: Strengthening care of the newborn
‘India has the potential to end all preventable child deaths’
Dr Mickey Chopra, global head of UNICEF’s health programmes explained to me why he was very encouraged by the efforts taken by the government to reduce child mortality, and how these efforts are paying off, especially in States like Bihar. How is India doing as far as meeting the MDG 4 target is concerned? … Continue reading ‘India has the potential to end all preventable child deaths’
Coverage of antenatal care in India has to be increased: WHO
In 2013, globally, preterm birth complications were responsible for 15 per cent (0.96 million) of deaths in children under five years of age. It is a leading cause of death in neonates (0-27 days after birth). According to WHO, about 15 million babies are born preterm (before 37 completed weeks of gestation) every year. … Continue reading Coverage of antenatal care in India has to be increased: WHO
Preterm births and pneumonia kill most children under five years in India
Of the 6.3 million deaths in children under the age of five years, nearly 44 per cent of deaths during 2000-2013 occurred during the neonatal period (0-27 days after birth). Preterm birth complications, pneumonia and intrapartum-related complications have been found to be the three main causes of death in children globally. The results are … Continue reading Preterm births and pneumonia kill most children under five years in India
‘There is fantastic immunisation coverage in India’
Both child and maternal mortality have reduced by 50 per cent since 1990, and compared with previous decades, the average rate of reduction in child mortality during this decade has more than doubled. Dr. Flavia Bustreo , Assistant Director General at WHO explained to me that the reasons why the Millennium Development Goal ignored newborn mortality reduction … Continue reading ‘There is fantastic immunisation coverage in India’
Fastest decline in child mortality rates witnessed
New data released today (September 16) by the United Nations Organisation show that under-five mortality rates have dropped by 49 per cent between 1990 and 2013. There has been accelerated average annual reduction during this period but overall progress is still short of meeting the global target of two-thirds decrease in under-five mortality by … Continue reading Fastest decline in child mortality rates witnessed
Finally, neonatal mortality prevention gains attention
Following the approval of the Every Newborn Action Plan by the ministers last month in the World Health Assembly, a new global action was launched on June 30 in the Partner’s Forum in Johannesburg to bring in significant new financing, policy and service delivery commitments that could save the lives of newborns and mothers. … Continue reading Finally, neonatal mortality prevention gains attention
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