UNIGME Report 2025:

UNIGME Report 2025:

Why in News? United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNIGME) Report 2025 has identified India as a “key contributor” to the global and regional reduction of under-five and neonatal mortality. The report specifically praises India’s ability to scale up public health interventions in a populous and diverse environment, leading to one of the fastest reductions in child deaths globally.

Key Points from the Report:

1. Statistical Progress (Regional & National):

• South Asia’s Decline: The region saw a 76% decline in under-five deaths since 1990 and a 68% drop since 2000.
• Mortality Rates: Under-five mortality in the region fell from 92 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2000 to approximately 32 in 2024.
• Neonatal & Early Childhood: Neonatal deaths (first 28 days) declined by nearly 60%, while mortality for children aged 1–59 months dropped by over 75% since 2000.

2. Strategic Interventions:

The report attributes this success to a “continuum-of-care” strategy and several flagship Indian schemes:

• Institutional Delivery: Programs like Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) and Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) have incentivized hospital births and free care for newborns.
• Immunization: The Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) has been scaled up to ensure broader coverage against preventable diseases.
• Infrastructure: Expansion of Special Newborn Care Units (SNCU) and the use of digital health innovations like Tele-SNCU.
• Clinical Management: Implementation of the Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illnesses (IMNCI).

3. Challenges & Leadership:

• Global Share: Despite the progress, South Asia still accounts for nearly 25% of global under-five deaths, highlighting the need for continued momentum.
• India’s Role: India is positioned as a leader among high-burden countries, proving that equity-driven and standards-led interventions can yield rapid results even in complex settings.