Strengthening Neo-Natal Services

In order to strengthen neonatal services in the country, funds are provided to States for establishing and running Special Newborn Care Units (SNCU), Newborn Stabilization Units (NBSU) and Newborn Baby Care Corners (NBCC). Funds are also provided to the States to train health care providers in essential newborn care through Navjat Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (NSSK). Funds have also been allocated to States for implementing Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) which provides for free care and transport of sick newborn for first 30 days of birth. In addition, funds under NRHM are provided to States for implementation of several interventions aimed at improving overall maternal and child health.

As per SRS 2010 report of Registrar General of India, Neo-natal Mortality Rate is 33 per thousand live births in India. Details are annexed for the major states.

           The medical causes of neonatal deaths  in India are Infections (29%) such as Pneumonia, Septicemia and Umbilical Cord infection;Prematurity (24%) i.e birth of newborn before 37 weeks of gestation and Asphyxia (19%)  i.e. inability to breathe immediately after birth that leads to lack of Oxygen.  Various contributing factors for neonatal mortality include (a) Home delivery by unskilled persons (b) Lack of essential new born care for asphyxia and hypothermia (c) Poor child care practices (d) Lack of early detection of sick newborn (e) Inadequate/Delayed referral mechanisms (f) Inadequate infrastructure for specialized care of sick newborn.

            The above information was laid  in the Rajya  Sabha today by the Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad.

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ANNEXURE

Status of Neo-natal Mortality Rate in India (for Major States), SRS 2010

STATES/UTs	Neo-natal Mortality Rate (per 1000 LB)
India	33
Andhra Pradesh	30
Assam	33
Bihar	31
Chhattisgarh	37
Delhi	19
Gujarat	31
Haryana	33
Himachal Pradesh	31
Jammu & Kashmir	35
Jharkhand	29
Karnataka	25
Kerala	7
Madhya Pradesh	44
Maharashtra	22
Orissa	42
Punjab	25
Rajasthan	40
Tamil Nadu	16
Uttar Pradesh	42
West Bengal	23