Childhood Morbidity and Mortality in India – Analysis of National Family Health Survey 4 (NFHS-4) Findings

ABSTRACT

National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-4 report was recently released for health-related data. This review compares the child healthindicators across NFHS-3 and NFHS-4 with a background of existing health programs catering to child health. Reports of NFHS-4 andNFHS-3, along with ministry reports and existing literature were reviewed to understand the current status of child health. Child healthindicators were compared between the two rounds of NFHS and among Empowered Action Group states of India. National Health Policy2017 and National Health Programs related to child health were also analyzed. There has been an improvement in almost all child healthindicators from NFHS-3 to NFHS-4. The infant mortality rate has reduced to 41 per 1000 live births. The immunization rate is 62%, andhas almost doubled in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Despite existence of many health programs, there isstill a substantial lack of achievement in most of the indicators.a