NEW DELHI: India has achieved a critical milestone in the continuing decrease of child mortality rates.
To attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets by 2030, the country has been seeing a steady decline in IMR, U5MR, and NMR since 2014, according to the Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report 2020 published by the Registrar General of India (RGI).

Mansukh Mandaviya, the union health minister, commended the country on this success and praised all medical professionals, carers, and community members for their tireless efforts in lowering child mortality.

"Since 2014, there has been a consistent reduction, as seen by SRS 2020. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, India is prepared to achieve the 2030 SDG targets for child mortality through targeted interventions, a solid Center-State collaboration, and the commitment of all health professionals "He Mandaviya.

The nation's Under 5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) has significantly decreased by 3 points from 2019 (annual drop rate: 8.6%). (32 per 1,000 live births in 2020 against 35 per 1,000 live births in 2019). In rural areas, it is 36; in urban areas, it is 21. Female U5MR is higher (33) than male U5MR (31). In the same time span, male U5MR has decreased by 4 points, and female U5MR has decreased by 3 points.

The states of Uttar Pradesh (5 points) and Karnataka have had the greatest decrease in U5MR (5 points).
The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)  has also decreased by two points from 30 per 1,000 live births in 2019 to 28 per 1,000 live births in 2020. (Annual Decline Rate: 6.7 percent). The disparity between Rural and Urban has shrunk to 12 points (Urban 19, Rural 31).

There has also been a 2 point decrease in the neonatal mortality rate, from 22 per 1,000 live births in 2019 to 20 per 1,000 live births in 2020. (Annual Decline Rate: 9.1 percent). In urban regions, it is 12; in rural areas, it is 23.

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