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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Noida (PTI): A Lamborghini hit two pedestrians on a footpath adjacent to an under-construction building in sector 94 here on Sunday, police said.

The injured, labourers from Chhattisgarh, were rushed to a nearby hospital and are said to be out of danger. They have suffered a fracture in their legs, police said.

A purported video surfaced online showing that after the accident, a man was heard asking the accused if he knew how many people died here. To this, the accused asked the locals "koi mar gaya idhar? (did anyone die here?)" and came out of the car.

Following this, someone in the video could be heard saying, "police ko bulao (call the police)".

Bhupendra Singh, In-charge at Sector 126 Police Station told PTI, "In the car accident two labourers were injured and they were from Chhattisgarh. They are out of danger and have fractures in their legs."

The accident happened adjacent to an under-construction building, he said.

"The car driver has been identified as Deepak, a resident of Ajmer and the car is registered with the Puducherry registration. He has been arrested and the car has been seized," he added.

During questioning he told the police that the accident happened due to a fault in the vehicle. Further investigation is underway, Singh said.