India recognised by UN as 'exemplar' in reducing child mortality
New Delhi: India has been recognised by the United Nations as an "exemplar" in reducing preventable child deaths, following remarkable progress in its health sector over the past two decades. The United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) report highlighted India’s strategic investments in healthcare and effective implementation of welfare schemes that have saved millions of young lives.
Along with India, the report identified Nepal, Senegal, Ghana, and Burundi as countries that have successfully reduced child mortality rates despite facing economic and infrastructural challenges. It praised these nations for their "political will, evidence-based strategies and sustained investments," which have contributed to significant improvements in child health.
According to the report, India has reduced child mortality by 70 per cent and neonatal mortality by 61 per cent since 2000. The progress has been credited to various government initiatives, including Ayushman Bharat – the world's largest health insurance scheme – which provides free delivery services, infant care, and transportation for pregnant women and newborns.
Additionally, the establishment of maternity waiting homes, newborn stabilisation units, and the implementation of interventions like antenatal corticosteroids and continuous positive airway pressure therapy have further strengthened India’s healthcare infrastructure. The report also noted that India has prioritised the training and deployment of skilled birth attendants, including midwives and community health workers, to ensure better maternal and child health services.
The UN IGME report mentioned that countries like Angola, Bhutan, Bolivia, Cabo Verde, India, Morocco, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia have reduced under-five mortality rates by over two-thirds since 2000. Specifically, India increased infant measles vaccination coverage from 56 per cent to 93 per cent and reduced measles-related deaths by 97 per cent.
Globally, the number of child deaths before the age of five dropped from 12.6 million in 1990 to 4.8 million in 2023, while stillbirths decreased by over a third during the same period.
Commenting on the achievement, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said, "Millions of children are alive today because of the global commitment to proven interventions, such as vaccines, nutrition, and access to safe water and basic sanitation." However, she also warned that without continued investment and policy focus, there is a risk of reversing these gains.
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Cong claims TVK chief Vijay has sought its support for govt formation in Tamil Nadu
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress on Tuesday claimed that TVK chief Vijay has sought its support for government formation in Tamil Nadu and its leadership has directed the state unit to take a final decision on the matter, keeping in view the state's sentiments.
The party, which fought the assembly election in alliance with the DMK, asserted that the mandate in Tamil Nadu is for a secular government and that it is determined "not to have the BJP and its proxies run the government of Tamil Nadu in any manner".
Top Congress leaders held a meeting at party chief Mallikarjun Kharge's residence on Tuesday evening that was attended by Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Tamil Nadu in-charge Girish Chodankar, among others.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Congress general secretary, Organisation, K C Venugopal said the Congress leadership discussed the post-election scenario in Tamil Nadu.
"TVK President Thiru Vijay has requested the Indian National Congress for support to form a Government in Tamil Nadu. He has spoken about drawing inspiration from Perumthalaivar Kamaraj as well, in his political mission.
"The INC is clear that the mandate in Tamil Nadu is for a secular government that is committed to protecting the Constitution in letter and spirit. The INC is determined not to have the BJP and its proxies run the Government of Tamil Nadu in any manner," he said.
"Accordingly, the Congress leadership has directed the TNCC to take a final decision on Thiru Vijay's request, keeping in view the sentiments of the state reflected in the electoral verdict," Venugopal told reporters.
Vijay's TVK won 108 seats in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, falling short of the halfway mark. He needs the support of 10 MLAs to form a government with a simple majority. The results were declared only on Monday.
The Congress has won five seats, while the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) has bagged four seats. The CPI and CPI-M have two seats each.
On the other hand, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has won 59 seats while the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has won 47 seats.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won only one seat and so have the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) and the Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagam (AMMK), while the VCK has won two seats.
The Congress had fought the assembly polls in a pre-poll alliance with the DMK, while the BJP had a tie-up with the AIADMK.
