India still has highest newborn death rate

This recent article posted to the Times of India sheds light on a continuing issue faced by the country: high infant mortality rates.

While we should celebrate the amazing 33% drop in total annual newborn deaths in India from 4.6 million to 3.3 million in the last 10 years, India still has more newborn deaths per year than any country worldwide.

The work we do (with your help) to provide basic healthcare and support to families in Vrindavan is crucial to keeping these mortality rates down.

Some interesting facts from the study:

• Newborns account for 41% of all child deaths.
• Each year 3.3 million babies die in the first four weeks of life, despite proven, cost-effective interventions that could save them. Solutions are simple as keeping newborns warm, clean and properly breastfed can keep them alive.
• The three leading causes of newborn death – preterm delivery, asphyxia and severe infections – are preventable with proper care.
• The first four weeks of life — the neonatal period — carries one of the highest risks of death of any four-week period in the human lifespan.
• Only five countries account for more than half of the world's 3.3 million newborn deaths – India, Nigeria, Pakistan, China and Democratic Republic of Congo.

Please read the article we link to above for complete details. We are so grateful for your continued support!