CHILD HEALTH CARE

The Child Health programme under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) comprehensively integrates interventions that improve child survival and addresses factors contributing to infant and under-five mortality. It is now well recognised that child survival cannot be addressed in isolation as it is intricately linked to the health of the mother, which is further determined by her health and development as an adolescent. Therefore, the concept of Continuum of Care, that emphasises on care during critical life stages in order to improve child survival, is being followed under the national programme. Another dimension of this approach is to ensure that critical services are made available at home, through community outreach and through health facilities at various levels (primary, first referral units, tertiary health care facilities). The newborn and child health are now the two key pillars of the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A) strategic approach, 2013.

India is a lower-middle-income country with one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Despite improvements in its economy, it has a high child mortality rate, with significant differences in child mortality both between and within different states. Poverty, malnutrition and poor sanitation are major problems for many Indians and are a major contributor to child mortality. More than 40% children are malnourished or stunted. Healthcare provision is poor, and many families, especially in rural areas, have major difficulties in accessing healthcare. Kerala has the lowest child mortality rates in India. This has been achieved by reducing poverty, malnutrition and inequalities. The provision of universal education alongside universal access to healthcare has demonstrated that child mortality rates could be reduced. India could significantly reduce its child mortality by following the example of Kerala.