According to the "Levels & Trends in Child Mortality" report by the UN Inter-agency Group (UN IGME), India continues to demonstrate an upward trajectory in newborn and child health outcomes, even as global progress has slowed by over 60% since 2015.
While an estimated 4.9 million children died globally before their fifth birthday in 2024, India’s steady decline is attributed to a "continuum-of-care" strategy and a standards-driven public health system. India has successfully translated national vision into last-mile impact through demand-driven interventions like Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) and the expansion of specialized infrastructure, such as Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs). Despite this, the report warns that Southern Asia still accounts for 25% of global under-five deaths, primarily driven by complications in the first month of life, highlighting the need for sustained strategic investment.
Key Drivers of India's Child Survival Strategy
Continuum-of-Care: Integrated strengthening of health systems with demand-driven schemes like Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) to reduce preventable mortality.
Infrastructure Expansion: Establishment of Maternal and Child Health (MCH) wings, Newborn Stabilization Units (NBSUs), and District Early Intervention Centres (DEICs).
Zero Separation Policy: New guidelines on Facility-Based Newborn Care (FBNC) emphasize Mother Newborn Care Units (MNCUs) to ensure mothers and sick newborns are not separated during treatment.
Digital Innovation: Implementation of the Tele-SNCU (Hub & Spoke model) to provide specialized neonatal care to remote and vulnerable populations.
Stillbirth Surveillance: India is a global leader in releasing operational guidelines for Stillbirth Surveillance and Response to enable corrective public health actions.
High Economic Return: The report notes that every $1 invested in child survival can generate up to $20 in social and economic benefits.
Policy Relevance: Anchoring India’s Public Health Success
Scaling Primary Health Care: India’s success in reducing mortality reflects growth in its ability to deploy skilled healthcare personnel at birth and maintain routine immunization through a coordinated Central and State approach.
Internalising Evidence-Based Care: The shift toward MNCUs and CPAP use (oxygen therapy) for sick newborns plays a role in professionalizing neonatal care and empowering caregivers with hybrid skill-based learning.
Bypassing Geographical Disparities: The use of Tele-SNCU models is supported by the need to bridge the gap between high-quality urban medical hubs and remote rural "spokes".
Supporting Global SDG Targets: By focusing on the first month of life—where nearly half of all under-five deaths occur—India’s strategic investments contribute to the global goal of ending preventable neonatal mortality by 2030.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: In what ways can the government utilize the new Stillbirth Surveillance data to mechanically track and address regional gaps in antenatal care quality?
Follow the Full News Here: UNICEF: India Sustains Progress in Reducing Child Deaths - March 2026
