Gujarat Records 12,492 Infant Deaths over Child Healthcare, Nutrition in 2024: Report

Gujarat recorded 12,492 infant deaths in 2024, up from 11,815 in 2021, raising fresh questions over child healthcare, nutrition and implementation of welfare schemes.

Infant Deaths Increased Despite Government Spending

The figures point to a worrying trend in Gujarat’s child health indicators despite substantial government spending on nutrition, Anganwadi services, maternal healthcare and child welfare programmes.

According to the central government data cited in the report, 11,815 newborns died across Gujarat in 2021. By 2024, the number had risen to 12,492, an increase of 677 deaths.

The rise has renewed concerns over whether existing interventions are reaching vulnerable mothers and children effectively, particularly those affected by malnutrition, premature births and inadequate access to specialised medical care.

Ahmedabad Records Highest Number of Infant Deaths

Ahmedabad recorded the highest number of infant deaths among the major cities listed for 2024.

The figures cited in the report show 1,552 infant deaths in Surat, 1,252 in Vadodara and 1,244 in Rajkot. Ahmedabad recorded a higher number than these cities, highlighting the scale of the problem even in a major urban centre with comparatively extensive healthcare infrastructure.

The figures also challenge the assumption that infant mortality is primarily a rural problem.

Urban Areas Accounted for Most Deaths

The 2024 data shows a substantial difference between rural and urban areas.

In rural Gujarat, 1,222 infant deaths were recorded, comprising 718 boys and 504 girls.

In urban areas, the figure was 11,270 deaths, including 6,632 boys and 4,632 girls.

Across rural and urban Gujarat, the total stood at 12,492 infant deaths. Of these, 7,350 were boys and 5,136 were girls.

The figures therefore show a significantly higher number of deaths among boys than girls in both rural and urban areas.

Infant Deaths Were Also Higher Among Urban Children Aged 1 to 4

The disparity continues beyond the newborn stage.

In 2024, 851 children aged between one and four years died in rural areas, while 2,379 deaths were reported in urban areas.

The report attributes the higher urban figure to factors including population density, inadequate healthcare conditions in some slum settlements and malnutrition.

The numbers suggest that simply having more hospitals and medical facilities in cities does not automatically translate into better outcomes for vulnerable children.

Premature Birth and Maternal Malnutrition Among Key Concerns

Premature birth is one of the factors associated with newborn deaths. Poor maternal nutrition can contribute to low birth weight and weaker newborns, increasing the risk of complications after delivery.

Serious infections are another major threat. Conditions such as sepsis and pneumonia can become fatal when treatment is delayed or appropriate medical intervention is unavailable.

The availability of specialists is also a concern. Shortages of paediatricians and gaps in medical infrastructure can make it difficult for hospitals, particularly in rural areas, to provide timely treatment to critically ill children.

Distance From Healthcare Can Prove Fatal

For families living in remote areas, reaching an adequately equipped hospital can itself become a major challenge.

A newborn requiring specialised treatment may need to be shifted from a village or smaller health facility to a district hospital or a major city. Any delay during transportation can worsen the child's condition.

This creates a chain of vulnerabilities involving maternal nutrition, safe delivery, early diagnosis, specialist treatment and emergency transportation.

2021 Data Shows The Problem Was Already Significant

The figures from 2021 show that infant mortality was already substantial three years earlier.

In rural Gujarat, 2,010 infant deaths were recorded in 2021, including 1,181 boys and 829 girls.

Urban Gujarat reported 9,805 deaths, comprising 5,773 boys and 4,083 girls.

The combined figure was 11,815 infant deaths, including 6,954 boys and 4,857 girls.

By 2024, the total had climbed to 12,492.

Questions Over Child Welfare Schemes

The Gujarat government allocates substantial funds for programmes involving Anganwadis, supplementary nutrition, maternal care and child welfare.

The rise in infant deaths has therefore raised questions over implementation and delivery rather than merely the size of budgetary allocations.

The central issue is whether nutritional support is reaching pregnant women and children who need it most, whether high-risk pregnancies are being identified early and whether newborns can access specialist treatment without delay.

The Urban Mortality Puzzle

The higher number of deaths recorded in urban areas also warrants closer examination.

Cities such as Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot have major hospitals and wider healthcare networks, yet large numbers of vulnerable families live in densely populated settlements where access to timely and affordable healthcare can remain difficult.

Malnutrition, poor living conditions and delayed treatment can continue to affect children even when specialised hospitals are located nearby.

The 2024 figures underline the need to examine why children continue to die from preventable or treatable causes and whether existing health and nutrition programmes are producing measurable improvements on the ground.