India records highest infant deaths due to premature birth

NEW DELHI: Over three lakh babies die annually in India making it the country with highest number of infant deaths due to premature births, Health Minister JP Nadda said today.

"As per World Health Organisation (WHO) Publication 'Born too Soon: The Global Action Report on Preterm Birth' out of an estimated annual 2.7 crore live births, in India 35 lakh babies are born preterm and out of these 3.03 lakh babies die due to complication of preterm birth," the Minister said while replying to a question in Rajya Sabha.

He said that Under National Health Mission (NHM), key interventions are being implemented all over the country to bring down the infant mortality.

"Under NHM, government promotes institutional delivery through Janani Suraksha Yojna cash incentive scheme for pregnant mothers and Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram which entitles all pregnant women and sick infant to absolutely free and no expense treatment at public health facilities," the Minister said.

He said under NHM, strengthening of newborn care services by establishing facilities for care of sick newborn such as Special New Born Care Units, New Born Stabilization Units and New Born Care Corners and provision of home-based new born care through Asha workers is provided.