The report is titled “Levels & Trends in Child Mortality” and it lauded India’s efforts and progress in reducing Child Mortality has been lauded as “Exemplar” along with other four countries.

• Since 2000, India has achieved an under-five mortality reduction of 70 per cent and a neonatal mortality reduction of 61 per cent.

Reasons for India’s performance given in the report

• Ayushman Bharat: Health insurance scheme which provides annual coverage of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year.
• Comprehensive delivery care: Every pregnant woman is entitled to free delivery (including caesarean section), and infant care provides free transport, medications, diagnostics and dietary support in public health institutions.
• Improving Access to Maternal Services: Strengthened infrastructure via the establishment of maternity waiting homes, maternal and child health wings, and a dedicated programme for birth defect screening.
• Training skilled birth attendants: Prioritized the training and deployment of skilled birth attendants, such as midwives and community health workers.

Recommendations to further reduce child mortality globally

• Prioritising Investments: Investments must be targeted to the most vulnerable populations.
• Data Optimization: Targeting actions and interventions should be based on subnational data.
• Others: Age specific Interventions, Availability of Data, etc