Telangana unveils Newborn Action Plan to control neonatal mortality rate
The state health minister Dr C Laxma Reddy has recently unveiled Telangana's Newborn Action Plan (TNAP), set with an objective to bring down the neonatal mortality rate in the state. Health experts joined the ministry in this noble health initiative.
Under the new programme, fund amounting to Rs 761 lakh has already been sanctioned by the centre to the state government. The funds will be further utilized to strengthen the newborn care facilities in the state, and also diverted to set up new facilities for the newborn.
Telangana currently has the higher NMR in south India- which stands at a rate of 25 -- defined as death of newborns between births to 28 days of age per 1,000 live births in a given year. It is close to the national NMR rate of 28.
As reported by TOI, "Our target is to bring down NMR rate to less than 10 by 2030. This we are going to achieve by ensuring that there are at least three Special New Born Care Units (SNCUs) in each district," said Dr C Laxma Reddy, adding that Telangana is the first state in South India to implement an online monitoring system for all SNCUs.
In fact, government officials said that the Telangana state is already showing improvement on the NMR front as against during undivided Andha Pradesh. The NMR rate used to be 27 but had come down to 25 now.
Only in the last one year, around 12,000 neonatal deaths have been reported in Telangana. Many reasons have been attributed to this unfortunate developments like prematurity, birth asphyxia, neonatal sepsis, birth defects, home deliveries, delay in early initiation of breast feeding, and more significantly lack of maternal education.
Under the new programme, fund amounting to Rs 761 lakh has already been sanctioned by the centre to the state government. The funds will be further utilized to strengthen the newborn care facilities in the state, and also diverted to set up new facilities for the newborn.
Telangana currently has the higher NMR in south India- which stands at a rate of 25 -- defined as death of newborns between births to 28 days of age per 1,000 live births in a given year. It is close to the national NMR rate of 28.
As reported by TOI, "Our target is to bring down NMR rate to less than 10 by 2030. This we are going to achieve by ensuring that there are at least three Special New Born Care Units (SNCUs) in each district," said Dr C Laxma Reddy, adding that Telangana is the first state in South India to implement an online monitoring system for all SNCUs.
In fact, government officials said that the Telangana state is already showing improvement on the NMR front as against during undivided Andha Pradesh. The NMR rate used to be 27 but had come down to 25 now.
Only in the last one year, around 12,000 neonatal deaths have been reported in Telangana. Many reasons have been attributed to this unfortunate developments like prematurity, birth asphyxia, neonatal sepsis, birth defects, home deliveries, delay in early initiation of breast feeding, and more significantly lack of maternal education.
Our comments section is governed by our Comments Policy . By posting comments at Medical Dialogues you automatically agree with our Comments Policy , Terms And Conditions and Privacy Policy .
Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.
NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.