Maharashtra Records Concerning Infant Mortality Rates With 46 Deaths Daily; Mumbai, Pune Among Leading Cities—Reports

Mumbai: Maharashtra has recorded a troubling total of 117,136 infant deaths from 2017 to 2023, which averages close to 46 deaths daily, as revealed by RTI data acquired by Hindustan Times. The highest number of deaths occurred in Mumbai, totaling 22,364, followed by Pune, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Akola.

Clinically, infant deaths are defined as the loss of a live-born child before their first birthday. Notably, in Mumbai, the numbers show a decrease from 4,071 deaths in 2017 to 2,832 in 2023, with the most significant reduction occurring in 2020.

The primary causes of infant mortality encompass birth asphyxia, prematurity, infections, and low birth weight, frequently worsened by systemic deficiencies in healthcare. Despite these worrying figures, Akola has a relatively lower infant mortality rate of 12.2, signaling some advancement amidst ongoing difficulties.

This increasing trend is connected to improved neonatal care and earlier institutional births. Nevertheless, the healthcare system in the city continues to face challenges with a high number of emergency referrals, as around 40% of infant deaths involve critically ill infants from nearby districts.

Conversely, Thane has seen a concerning rise in infant deaths, increasing from 750 in 2017 to 1,380 in 2023, partly due to referrals from Palghar, which lacks adequate healthcare facilities. Other districts, including Nashik and Pune, have also recorded notable annual increases in mortality rates.

After a decline during the COVID-19 pandemic, the death toll rose again, peaking at 17,436 in 2023. Government officials attribute this rise to enhanced surveillance, an increase in institutional deliveries, and improved reporting methods. However, healthcare experts point out that ongoing systemic issues such as delays in referrals, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient antenatal care are significant contributors to the situation.