Assam infant and child mortality rates continue to remain higher than the national average, the Ministry of Women & Child Development informed the Lok Sabha in response to a question raised by Nagaon MP Pradyut Bordoloi. The latest Sample Registration System (SRS) 2023 data shows that Assam still struggles with critical child health indicators, despite national improvements.
According to the Sample Registration System (SRS) 2023 data annexed to the reply, Assam’s mortality indicators remain significantly above the national benchmarks. The revelation has sparked renewed debate on the state’s long‑standing health challenges, especially in maternal and child care.
What the Latest SRS 2023 Data Shows
The Ministry’s reply highlighted three key indicators where Assam lags behind the national average:
1. Neo‑Natal Mortality Rate (NMR)
- India’s NMR: 19 deaths per 1,000 live births
- Assam’s NMR: 21 deaths per 1,000 live births
This means newborns in Assam face a higher risk of death within the first 28 days compared to the national average.
2. Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)
While the exact IMR figure was not quoted in the snippet, the Ministry confirmed that Assam’s IMR remains higher than India’s average, continuing a trend observed in previous SRS reports.
3. Under‑Five Mortality Rate (U5MR)
- India’s U5MR: 29 deaths per 1,000 live births
- Assam’s U5MR: 33 deaths per 1,000 live births
This indicates that children in Assam face a greater risk of dying before their fifth birthday than children in most other parts of the country.
MP Pradyut Bordoloi Raises Alarm in Parliament
Nagaon MP Pradyut Bordoloi expressed concern over the data, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted intervention in Assam. He posted on X (formerly Twitter) highlighting that the state’s mortality rates demand “special importance before we lose more of our children to inadequate health infrastructure.”
His question to the Ministry focused on:
- Malnutrition‑related deaths
- Child mortality trends
- Effectiveness of POSHAN Abhiyaan since 2020
The Ministry responded by providing state‑wise mortality data and outlining ongoing schemes but did not specify the number of deaths directly attributable to malnutrition.
Why Assam Continues to Struggle
Assam’s higher mortality rates are not new. Public health experts often point to several structural challenges:
1. Gaps in Maternal Healthcare
Limited access to quality antenatal and postnatal care continues to affect newborn survival.
2. Malnutrition and Anaemia
High levels of maternal and child malnutrition contribute significantly to infant deaths — a concern repeatedly highlighted in NFHS surveys.
3. Rural‑Urban Healthcare Divide
Remote districts often lack adequate neonatal care units, trained personnel, and emergency transport.
4. Low Birth Registration and Reporting Issues
The Directorate of Census Operations notes that birth and death registration in several states, including Assam, remains “far from satisfactory”, affecting data accuracy and timely intervention.
Government Schemes in Focus
The Ministry reiterated that schemes like POSHAN Abhiyaan, Janani Suraksha Yojana, and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana aim to improve maternal and child health outcomes. However, the persistent gap between Assam and national averages suggests that implementation challenges remain.
What Needs to Change?
Experts argue that Assam requires:
- Strengthened primary healthcare systems
- More Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs)
- Better nutrition monitoring
- Improved birth registration
- Community‑level awareness campaigns
Without these, the state may continue to struggle with preventable child deaths.
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Assam’s infant and child mortality rates remaining above the national average is not just a statistic — it is a call for urgent, sustained, and targeted intervention. With the SRS 2023 data now in the public domain, policymakers, health officials, and civil society must work together to ensure that every child in Assam has an equal chance at survival.
The numbers are clear. The challenge is real. The time to act is now.
