“India has taken rapid strides in reducing child mortality since 2014 from 45 per 1000 live births to 35 per 1000 live births in 2019”. Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Minister of State stated this today as she virtually launched the Early Childhood Development Conclave, Paalan 1000 National Campaign and Parenting App in Mumbai. Dr Vinod K Paul, Member (Health & Nutrition), NITI Aayog was also present.
Accentuating the importance of the early phases of a child’s life as its impact can last a lifetime, Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar said, “The process of a baby’s brain development begins during pregnancy and is influenced by a pregnant woman’s health, nutrition and environment. After birth, apart from the physical growth, a human baby’s brain development paves the way for its future level of intelligence and quality of life.
Each day of this journey is special and influences the way a baby develops, grows and learns – not just now, but for her entire life. We need to understand that the child survival cannot be addressed in isolation as it is intricately linked to the health of the mother. Therefore, the concept of ‘Continuum of Care’, that emphasises on care during critical life stages in order to improve child survival, is being followed under the national programme.”
She further noted that the first thousand days encompasses the conception as well as the first two years of a child’s life and during this period, the growing child needs right nutrition, stimulation, love and support. “The first 1000 days establishes a solid platform for a child’s physical, mental, emotional, cognitive and social health”, he highlighted.
“The child health programme under the National Health Mission (NHM) comprehensively integrated interventions which improved child survival and addressed factors contributing to infant and under-five mortality. Hence, our National Health Mission ensures that critical services are made available at home, through community outreach and through health facilities at various levels like primary, first referral units, tertiary health care facilities”, she added.
