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
Under-five mortality
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
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
Ten countries that were on a fast-track to achieve the MDG 4 & 5 goalss
While a majority of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are struggling to meet the Millennium Development Goal 4 and 5 of reducing child mortality and improving maternal health, in 2012 ten countries with similar resources were on the “fast-track” of achieving the targets, notes a June 30, 2014 Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child … Continue reading Ten countries that were on a fast-track to achieve the MDG 4 & 5 goalss
5.5 million ‘invisible’ baby deaths a year
Globally, about 5.5 million babies — nearly three million neonates and about 2.6 million stillbirths — die every year. In other words, every day, about 8,000 neonates are dying and the number of stillbirths is about 7,000. Stillbirths happen at about 28 weeks of gestation and also during labour. Babies who die during labour — … Continue reading 5.5 million ‘invisible’ baby deaths a year
Editorial: More than baby steps required
One more health-status indicator has recently been published, and as expected, India brings up the rear. Despite reducing under-five mortality from 2.5 million in 2001 to 1.4 million in 2012, India still holds the dubious distinction of having the highest number of deaths in the world in this vulnerable age group — 22 per cent. … Continue reading Editorial: More than baby steps required
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